Obituary of John L. Barrett

Long time business man, John Barrett, passed away on May 26, 2022 after a long battle fighting cancer at the age of 75 & 15/16's. (He was 5 hours short of celebrating his 76th birthday). John was born in Hollister, California on May 27, 1946 at the old Hazel Hawkins Hospital on Monterey Street. He was the first born of Dave and Frances Barrett and the older brother of 3 sisters, Marie, Charlotte and Janis. John grew up on various ranches in San Benito County and attended local schools such as Santa Anita, Fremont Elementary, and R.O. Hardin and graduated 8th Grade from Jefferson Elementary (a one room school house) in south county, San Benito Lateral. He was a proud Hay Baler at San Benito High School, graduating in Class of 1964. John was active in the FFA Chapter and served one year as their President. After attending Gavilan College for 2 years he joined the U.S. Navy to serve his country for the following 6 years. (4 Years active and 2 years reserve). Eighteen months of his career he was stationed in Vietnam. All though John was in the Navy, he spoke often of never stepping foot on a ship, as he only had shore duties because of his short college education. He was proud to be a Vietnam Vet and had the opportunity to return after 50 years on a cruise. During John’s lifetime he was a great supporter of the community. He volunteered for 19 years at the San Benito County Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo and later joined their Board of Directors for over 30 years, serving as President for 5 of those years. He also served on the City of Hollister’s Planning Commission from 1984-1988. In 1973 John joined his Uncle Marion Magladry to help run the newly acquired McKinnon Lumber Company. After Marion’s retirement in 1989, John overtook ownership of the company and was joined by his wife Jean and son Brian, where his son continues the legacy of running his dad’s pride and joy. John met his wife, Jean Bacon Barrett, in 1959 and started dating in 1964 and was married on May 2, 1970. They just celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary. For John’s 70th birthday he experienced his first cruise ship adventure, cruising to Alaska. Now he was hooked and continued to enjoy this experience the next few years cruising to Mexico, Cuba, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Columbia and through the new Panama Canal. His greatest cruise was in January of 2020, traveling with his daughter, Diane Barrett, back to Vietnam after 50 years. They also visited Thailand, Cambodia and Hong Kong and John always wanted to repeat this trip just for the food. He also experienced riding an elephant. John is survived by his loving wife Jean, son Brian Barrett (Kendra) daughter Diane Barrett, sisters Charlotte Cabral and Janis Yee (Pete Rivera); grandchildren Kylie, Kenna and Broc Barrett, sister in law Susan Bacon Tonjes (Steve) brother in law John Bacon (Leslie) numerous nephews and nieces and great nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents Dave and Frances Barrett, in laws Horace and Carol Bacon, sister and brother in law, Marie and Mike Pera, brother in laws Alan Bacon and Mark Cabral, nephew David Yee and great nephew Sonny Pointon. John Barrett will be greatly missed by his loving family, enormous amount of friends and the entire San Benito County. Donations may be made to the SBC Saddle Horse Assoc. or John L. and Jean M. Barrett Scholarship Fund for local High School Grant or your favorite charity. Visitation on Friday, June 3rd from 1:oo p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visitation will on Saturday, June 4th at 09:00 a.m. with funeral services beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at IOOF Cemetery with full military honors provided by Local VFW Post 9242.