Don E. Barnett, Sr., 76, of Beaumont, Texas, passed away March 6, 2012, after a lengthy illness, surrounded by his loving family.
Born Christmas day 1935, in San Diego, California, Don lovingly recalled his youngest years in Florida and Massachusetts before his father, a naval officer settled in Beaumont. He graduated from French High School, attended Lamar University, owned and operated East Tex Printing Company, then became Director of Operations for First Security and later First City Bank of Beaumont. A lover of all things living, Don raised roses and exotic plants, spent time at the beach with his family and touched everyone he made contact with.
Survivors include his loving wife of fifty-six years, Bonnie Barnett; brothers, Eugene Barnett, Sr. and his wife, Berylann, Kenneth Barnett and his wife, Henrietta; children, Don Barnett, Jr. and his wife, Missy, Steve Barnett and his wife, Angela, Michael Barnett and his wife, Lisa, Laura Lee and her husband, Bob, and Lynda Barnett and Doug Lack; mother-in-law, Katherine Thompson; twelve grandchildren; and numerous other family members and friends.
He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Henrietta and Eugene Lee Barnett, Sr.
The family wants to extend their thanks and appreciation to Dr. Colgan and Greg, Dr. Huff and Penny, Dr. Derderian, Dr. Jayaraj, and all the healthcare professionals that assisted Don over the years.
A gathering of his family and friends will be from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. with a Christian Vigil at 6:30 p.m., Friday, March 9, 2012, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 10, 2012, at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, 700 Jefferson Street, Beaumont, with entombment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s.
Memorial contributions may be made to American Kidney Foundation, 6110 Executive Boulevard, Suite 1010, Rockville, Maryland 20852, American Heart Association, P.O. Box 841125, Dallas, Texas 75284, or American Diabetes Association, 2400 Augustus Drive, Suite 175, Houston, Texas 77057.
