It is with regret we announce the passing of Richard John Barrett, age 79, of Fayetteville, TN. Rich was born on July 14, 1942, in Philadelphia, PA to the late Mortiner and Lorna Cabe Kahn. Mr. Barrett passed away on November 19, 2021 at Lincoln Manor, surrounded by his loving family.
Rich attended Ashville, NC City Schools and was a 1964 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with a major in economics and history. He was a Lt. Commander and pilot for the US Navy, and he served in Vietnam. Rich also flew helicopter no. 64 on the recovery of astronauts in the Apollo 11 mission. His job was to drop the swimmers after the module landed. Mr. Barrett also participated in the recovery of Apollo 8 and Apollo 10. After his military career, Rich was the owner and operator of Network Industries in Fayetteville, TN, and was a member of the Fayetteville First United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife of 20 years, Vicki Hill Barrett; four children; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several siblings, nieces, nephews, and extended family.
A memorial service will be held at 2 PM on Sunday, November 21, 2021 at Higgins Funeral Home with Bro. Ronnie Thomas and Ray Fraley officiating. Visitation with the family will be from 1 PM until 2 PM at Higgins.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105-9959.
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Mr. Richard John Barrett.
