John Robert (Bob) Barrett

John Robert (Bob) Barrett, age 73, went to be with the Lord on May 3, 2006 following a short illness. A 1951 graduate of Oak Ridge High School, Bob was the son of the late Riley Boner Barrett and Rowena Barrett Ward of Oak Ridge. After attending the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis and serving in the U.S. Navy, Bob returned to Knoxville in 1954 to finish his education at the University of Tennessee, where he majored in Journalism and English, and performed in Carousel Theatre productions and as a member of the Pride of the Southland Band. Bob began his career in broadcasting, working both in radio and as one of the early pioneers of television news in East Tennessee at WBIR-TV 10. Later, he moved to The Knoxville News-Sentinel, where he retired in 2003 after serving for 38 years in numerous capacities, including as Fine Arts Editor and Religion Editor. Bob and his wife, Anne, also operated Leslie-Barrett Photography in South Knoxville. Bob was an active member of First Baptist Church, Knoxville, and of the First Baptist Sanctuary Choir, in addition to serving as an interim choir leader for other Knoxville area congregations. He was involved in many other community activities, including service as a Scoutmaster and as one of the first volunteer leaders involved in establishing urban 4-H Clubs in Knoxville in the 1970s. Bob also enjoyed participating in the fun and fellowship of barbershop quartet singing as a member of Knoxville?s Smokyland Sound Chorus. Bob is survived by his loving wife, Lena Anne Barrett of Knoxville, stepfather Bennie Ward of Oak Ridge, son and daughter-in-law Steve and Melissa Barrett of Chattanooga, daughter and son-in-law Susan and Skylar Silvers of Fredericksburg, Virginia, grandsons William Silvers of Fredericksburg and Nicholas Barrett of Chattanooga, sister and brother-in-law Judy and David Birdwell of Knoxville, brother David Barrett of Lincoln, Nebraska and sister-in-law Clare Barrett of Boise, Idaho, stepsister Jane Meredith of Springfield, New Jersey, nieces Leslie Birdwell of Chicago, Illinois and Jodie Birdwell Brown and husband Greg of Silver Spring, Maryland, and nephews Thomas Barrett and wife Amanda and Alan Barrett, all of Boise. The family will receive friends 6-8 pm Monday at Berry Funeral Home with services to follow at 8 pm in the Chapel, Dr. William Sheill officiating. Interment 1 pm Tuesday at Woodlawn Cemetery, LaFollette. Dr. Fred A. Steelman officiating. Pallbearers will be Jim Balloch, Steve Barrett, Fred Brown, Dwight Kessel, Skylar Silvers and Sam Venable. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Music Ministry, 510 Main Street, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902. Arrangements by Berry Funeral Home, Chapman Highway.