Gary Barrett

Gary Steve Barrett, 93, of Waynesville, North Carolina, passed away at home on Sunday, Oct. 12. He is predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Phyllis “Pete” Barrett; his father and mother, Austin and Pauline Barrett of Gastonia, NC; and his brother, Wayne Barrett, of Lake Wylie, NC. He is survived by his sister, Merlin Davis of Salisbury, NC, and his brother, Mark Barrett (Teresa), of Lincolnton, NC. Also surviving are his three children, including G. Scott Barrett of Candler, NC; Leigh Barrett Estabrooks (Paul) of Monson, MA; and Keitha Barrett of Waynesville, NC. His grandchildren include Samuel Estabrooks of Cambridge, MA; Benjamin Estabrooks (Samantha) of Monson, MA; Cameron Barrett of Asheville, NC; and Alexandra Griffin (Andrew) of Arden, NC. His great-grandchild, Reilly Griffin, is also from Arden, NC.

Gary, also known as Steve, was born in Clover, South Carolina on February 11, 1932. Steve spent his younger years growing up in Gastonia, NC, developing skills as a draftsperson and fabricator for the textile industry. After graduating from Gastonia High School, he worked for Spencer Lumber Company, then joined the U.S. Navy in 1953. Steve was stationed in San Diego, California, where he became known as Gary. There he met and married Phyllis “Pete” Leonard, a fellow enlistee.

Gary and Pete moved across country—from California to North Carolina—after their enlistments, for him to earn his degree in Mechanical Engineering at N.C. State University in 1960. With a growing family, they moved to Tennessee and then Florida, where he worked at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in West Palm Beach as a test engineer on the after-burner control for the J-58 engine in the SR-71 Blackbird. After six exciting and busy years at Pratt & Whitney, Gary and Pete moved home to North Carolina, settling in the Asheville area. Gary returned to his earlier roots in textiles and retired after 24 years as a project engineer from American Enka, then known as BASF.

Gary and Pete moved to Jonathan Creek, NC, where their vacation home became their permanent home. This was the home and garage of their dreams, which they designed and built themselves over many years. Their mountain neighbors were retirees, many from Florida, who had ties to West Palm Beach and Pratt & Whitney. They also had a church family at Shady Grove United Methodist Church, where Gary held leadership positions as treasurer and trustee. Gary and Pete later moved off the mountain and into the town of Waynesville, where they became beloved neighbors once again.

When you have a long life, you are blessed to know and love many special people. Gary was blessed with knowing Kitty Hooper, a longtime friend of the family and companion after their spouses passed away. They were fortunate to share special years and peaceful times together.

Gary’s family in North Carolina and Massachusetts will quietly celebrate their father, grandfather, and great-grandfather’s life. They will remember the wonderful man who could build anything and restore beautiful British cars. They will retell stories of his work on the J-58 engine and the MG-TC fenders. They will recall trips in the motor home and fun vacations at the beach. They will remember his gentle and calm nature, his patience with everyone and everything, and how he led by example. Gary’s family asks his extended family, friends, and neighbors to celebrate him in a way meaningful to them.