The Life and Legacy of Deacon Herman Benjamin "Jack" Barrett

"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am there ye may be also." John 14:3

The Battle has been fought and the victory won; a soldier has gone home.

Deacon Herman Benjamin "Jack" Barrett, a retired educator from Baltimore, MD and Washington, D. C. the first of two children was born March 24, 1920 to Millie Cope Barrett and Harmon Barrett in Muskogee, Oklahoma. On December 18, 2018 , the God of all Goodness summoned him home. Herman grew up in Muskogee , OK .

He graduated from Manual Training High School in 1939 and moved to Washington D.C to live with his uncle and aunt who were both educators in the Washington D. C. public school system. While in D.C. he entered Howard University, and graduated in 1954 in the top 10% of his class with a degree in English.

Upon graduation, Herman's aim was to enroll in the School of Pharmacy to become a pharmacist. However,. the Selective Service interviewed him and he was forced to leave Howard to enter the United States Navy where he trained to work on gasoline and diesel engines, becoming a Motor Machinist mate 2 ^nd class. Soon after he became eligible for a promotion, but was denied the promotion because a tugboat over heated and became frozen while he was at the throttle. After serving approximately three (3) years Herman was honorable discharged from the navy and his strong thirst for knowledge motivated him to continue his education earning his graduate degree from Coppin State University in Baltimore, MD.

Herman was born into a devout Baptist family and was baptized at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church at the age of 7. Through the years he has remained a strong member of the church and has faithfully served in various ministries and activities since his returned to Muskogee. Pastor J. A. Reed recognized God had chosen Bro. Barrett for a greater work. After much observation and training, he was ordained as a deacon. Bro. Barrett was a loyal working member of Mt. Calvary during his early years he maintained the grounds, drove the bus, and worked   untiringly with the Layman Ministry throughout the city and surrounding areas. Known as a man of profound spiritual vision and gifted with intellectual qualities , he attended numerous Christian Education classes through the Oklahoma Baptist School of religion. And in his later years, he served as Director of the BTU where he touched many lives. After the transition of Rev. J. A. Reed, Sr., Rev. Gary D. Hall, Sr. became the next pastor of Mt. Calvary and Bro. Barrett continued to support the pastor and the church. He remained faithful and committed until his health began to fail. He was a lover of scriptures. One of his favorite biblical scriptures: "So teach us to number our days, that we apply our hearts unto wisdom." Psalm 90:12

He had many hobbies including photography, fishing and gardening. He loved, flowers , plants, and animals.. His favorite hobby was repairing clocks. Herman learned to repair clocks as a hobby and continued to enjoy being a repairer until several months ago. He owned over 75 clocks.

He demonstrated a passion for his community by serving on various committees and boards in Muskogee. He served as treasurer for the local branch of the NAACP  for 10 years and was a lifetime member of the NAACP. He was very loyal to his alumni organizations and his support of many charities. He was a dedicated member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Inc. Herman seized every opportunity to give back to his community and was avid about young people getting an education. He encouraged them to put God first . His life example taught us to follow our dreams, no matter the obstacles! Herman loved scriptures and shared many, particularly in his later years as when directed the Baptist Training Union (BTU) at Mt Calvary. One of his favorite biblical scriptures was: So teach us to number our days, that we apply our hearts unto wisdom." Psalm 90:12.

Herman's faith in God guided his choices in life. He placed love of family above all else. We thank God for the memories. Our beloved Herman was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, son, Antony Depew Barrett and his wife, Barbara.

He leaves to cherish his memories to live forever in the hearts of his family; Cheryl Barrett Crooks (John)of Brooklyn, NY; Tracy Mentors (Gary) of Orlanda, FL; nephew, Clay Barrett (Manon) of Lakeworth FL; a special friend, Loretta "Scottie" Reed, Muskogee, OK; step-daughters Tonya(Lionel) Humphrey, of Owasso, OK, Pearlie (Joe) Fipps, of Tulsa, OK, step-sons James (Vera) Ross of Tulsa, OK, Don Ross, of Tulsa, OK, sisters-in-law Gladys Drummer of Kansas City, KS, Fannie Kay of Oklahoma City, OK, brother-in-law, Elder Roosevelt (Gloria) Dunn of Oklahoma City, OK. He will be remembered and greatly missed by numerous cousins some of whom were always like brothers and sisters, friends, Joe and Helen Ingram, The Derrick Family, children in the city who referred to him as grandpa or "pa pa". He leaves an unfillable gap in the hearts and lives of many others that he touched.

A Home Going Service is scheduled, Sunday, January 6, 2019, 3:00 p.m., Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 622 N. Sixth Street, Muskogee, OK; with Pastor Gary Hall, eulogizing.

Interment will be in Ft. Gibson National Cemetery, Ft. Gibson, OK; Monday, January 7, 2018 at 11:00 a.m.

Omega service is scheduled at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 5, 2019. Visitation will 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, one hour prior to service.

The family has been cared for by House of Winn Funeral Homes