Albert (Bert) Barrett

Albert (Bert) Barrett, 91, of Frankfort, KS, died January 5, 2012 at the Wamego Hospital. Visitation was Monday, January 7, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Padden Funeral Chapel in Frankfort. A rosary service was held at 7 p.m., Monday, at Annunciation Catholic Church. A funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 8, at Annunication Catholic Church in Frankfort. Burial was in Mt. Calvary Cemetery at Frankfort. Albert was born on December 20, 1921 at Frankfort, the son of Albert and Genieve (Hunt) Barrett. He attended Frankfort public schools and graduated in 1939. After high school, Bert joined the United States Air Force and became a navigator in World War II. He flew in the 390th Bombardment Group and was stationed in Ipswitch, England. After serving 35 missions over Europe in WWII, Bert returned for the Korean War. Time and again Bert would relive tales of the war and what it was like flying in a B-17. Late in life, he had the opportunity to visit the Air Force Museum in Tuscon and again in Arlington. He enjoyed reliving the stories of the war with other veterans. Pictures of his flight group, "Gun Shy", are on display in Tuscon. Upon returning from the war, Bert became a rural mail carrier in Frankfort, serving thirty-seven years, retiring in 1982. In 1983, he began his next career as a tax preparer for another twenty-five years. A true outdoorsman, Bert loved to hunt and fish. One of his greatest joys was hunting and hosting relatives from Colorado every fall. Bert was also dedicated to the youth of the community by serving as a coach and scout leader. His fond memories of the youngsters he worked with was always a treasured topic. He was respected by all. Bert was instrumental in the planning and development of the Frankfort Public Golf Course and the Pine Hills Golf Course at Lake Wabaunsee. Never a scratch golfer himself, he was definitely a man who enjoyed the sport. He was a lifelong member of the American Legion and cooked many meals for the special events held there. He married Ann Reust and they shared sixty-seven years of married life together. Ann survives. Bert is also survived by son, Mark (Marsha) Barrett of Lenexa; daughter, Mary (Bryan) Gleason of Carbondale; seven grandchildren and ten great- grandchildren, Wendy (Larry) England, Halle and Jake, of Lenexa, Rustin (Jessie) Barrett and Charlie Ann of Shawnee, Angie Gleason, Lauren and Charlotte of Topeka, Carrie (Stony) Eagle, Ellie and Abbie of Overbrook, Michael (April) Gleason, Brodie, Breylan, Braxton of Carbondale and Audrey and Erika Gleason of Carbondale. Preceding him in death were his parents; half-brother, Lester Hunt; brother Bill Barrett; and infant son, Timothy. Memorials contributions may be mae to the Frankfort American Legion, Frankfort Care Home Memorial Flower Garden, or Annunciation Catholic Church and sent in care of Padden Funeral Chapel in Frankfort. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Albert (Bert) Barrett, please visit our flower store.