Franklin C. Barrett, 69, of Oak Harbor, died suddenly on Sept.16, 2002. He was born May 26, 1933 in Vancouver, but spent most of his life in Cheney. He graduated from Cheney High School and joined the U.S. Navy in 1953. Frank met Alicia West in 1953, and they married Oct. 30, 1954, in Spokane. They celebrated 47 years of love and friendship in marriage before Alicia’s death on Feb. 1, 2002.

In 1962 Frank was stationed at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station with VA-145, and Oak Harbor became home. During his Navy career he also kept busy volunteering, first with the Cub Scouts and then with the Boy Scouts as his sons grew older. Although he never belonged to the Boy Scouts himself, he eventually received many prestigious awards from them, including the Silver Beaver. He was also involved with St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in a variety of ways including religious education and being a eucharistic minister.

In 1973 Frank retired from the Navy and started his second career as an assistant naval science instructor at Oak Harbor High School. He thoroughly enjoyed his cadets and co-workers and was respected and loved during his 20 years at the high school. He retired again in 1993 and he and Alicia spent time traveling together and enjoying each other’s company.

Family and friends were a very important part of his life and he loved to spend time with them. Among his greatest blessings he counted his Christian faith, being born in the United States, finding the love of his life and sharing a lifetime with her and his children. He attended countless sporting events, concerts, plays, and religious events to be there for his children and grandchildren. Frank and Alicia also enjoyed attending plays and watching the Mariners baseball team and attending Spring Training in Arizona.

All who knew Frank well knew that he was a phenomenal person. He lived the Scout Laws and the Ten Commandments every day. To him they were much more than words, they were a way of life that he demonstrated with such depth that it was almost unbelievable. He was the ultimate teacher, whether he was dealing with family, students, Boy Scouts or friends…his calling was clear, people learned from him. His granddaughter described him as her “hero” and she was not alone in that view.

Frank is survived by his three children, David Barrett and wife Sue of Renton, Bruce Barrett of Lynnwood, and Shannan Dumke and husband Mark of Freeland; his grandchildren: Frank and Conor Barrett of Alabama and their sister Lauren and mother Kim, Kristina and Erin Barrett of Lynnwood and their mother Eileen, Danielle Dumke of Lynnwood, and Aimee and Brianne Dumke of Freeland. He is also survived by his brother Robert and his wife Nadine, and sister Donna and her husband Walt, all of Spokane, numerous nieces and nephews and lifelong friends, the Ratcliffs.

Funeral Mass for Franklin C. Barrett will be celebrated Saturday, Sept. 21 at 10 a.m., at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Oak Harbor with the Rev. Michael O’Neil officiating. Rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m. at the church. Full military honors will be provided by NAS Whidbey Island and Oak Harbor High School NJROTC honor guards. A reception for family and friends will follow at the church Parish Hall. Burial at sea will follow under the auspices of the U.S. Navy.

Donations can be made to the St. Augustine’s Church Building Fund at 185 N. Oak Harbor Street, Oak Harbor, WA 98277.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor. This obituary may be seen on-line at http://burley.plan4ever.com.