Donald Amos Barrett

Donald A. Barrett, 87, of Traverse City, MI. passed away March 24, 2015 at Birchwood Tendercare in Traverse City. Don was born June 24, 1927 in Lansing, MI,. son of Earl and Dorothy Bernard. After the untimely death of his father at an early age Dorothy married Percy Barrett of Holt, MI, and Percy adopted Don, during their marriage they had a daughter Nancy, Don's 1/2 sister.
Don graduated from High School serving aboard the Navy Aircraft Carrier Leyte CVA-32 during WWII.
After his discharge in July 1946 he worked briefly as a dump truck driver then a factory worker for Oldsmobile. In 1948 he got a job as a Automotive upholsterer at Jim's Auto Trim in Lansing. That same year he married Orelle Bernice Rudd of Lansing and they were married for 66 years. In 1949 the young couple purchased Jim's and renamed it Don's Auto Trim.
They settled down in East Lansing and raised a family.
In the early 70's Don became very interested in airplanes, he obtained his license as a private pilot and purchased a Stinson Voyager 108-3 and enjoyed many years of flying with his family and pets.
In 1983 he opened Barrett's Auto and Marine Trim in Traverse City and closing his store in Lansing in 1986.
Don was active for many years in the Lutheran Church of Lansing and then as one of the founders of St. Paul Lutheran Church in East Lansing. He was also an active member of the Masons.
Don enjoyed spending time with his family at their cottage on Little Glen Lake, fishing, boating, deer hunting, (he loved preparing his famous opening day breakfast at deer camp), Flying his plane, photography and farming.
He was very active and very supporting of all his children,s sports.

In his later years he enjoyed relaxing on his front porch with his wife , watching the world go by and going sailing on his daughters sailboat.
Don is survived by his wife Orelle, sons Paul (Mary) Barrett of Traverse City, Todd Barrett (Dawn Childers), Daughter Beth Barrett-Tisdale (Greg Nickerson), grandchildren, , Jessica Birdsey, Tyler Weatherholt and Damian Durga.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday April 11, 2015 at 11:00A.M. at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home with visitation one hour prior.
In lieu of flowers please send memorials to Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Foundation, 30 E. Padonia Rd. Ste 201., Timonium, MD. 21093.
Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share your memories of Don.