Friday, June 12, 2009

An Amazing Life


Walter Scott Barrett
W. Scott Barrett Logan, Utah Walter Scott Barrett peacefully passed away on June 6, 2009 at his home in Logan, Utah at the age of 84 due to cancer. Scott was born May 19, 1925 in Logan, Utah to Walter William Barrett and Myrtle Jeppson. The family moved to Phoenix, Arizona when Scott was in junior high. During World War II 19-year-old Scott set off to join the Air Force, but was so excited to learn to fly that his soaring blood pressure disqualified him. He was inducted into the Army July 1943 and served in the 99th "checkerboard" division as a corporal infantryman, the best marksman in his squad of 200. Captured at the start of the wintery Battle of the Bulge, he spent five months in a POW camp in Nuremburg, Germany until the end of the war. He was discharged from the army December 1945. Scott then served a three-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Western States, 1946-49. After his mission he earned his bachelor's and law degrees at the University of California at Berkeley (Boalt Hall). He married Julia Ellsworth in 1951 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Upon graduation he began practicing law in Oakland, but when he was offered the job of assistant attorney general for the island of Guam he jumped at the chance. He wrote the bill that established long-awaited post-war security clearance for Guam which was read into the U.S. Congressional Record. Scott subsequently practiced law in Guam, San Francisco, Oakland, and American Samoa with several firms, including Barrett, Ferenz & Bramhall. As Scott and Julia raised their six children they resided alternately in Guam and Piedmont, California. In 1976 the family moved to Cache Valley to a farm in Lewiston while Scott opened a new practice and had their riverside home built in Logan. About this time he fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming a pilot and flew his Beechcraft Sierra for more than two decades logging 3,300 hours and landing at more than 300 airports. Scott served as city attorney of Logan for 12 years and as a member of the Logan firm Barrett and Daines. In 1992 he helped found the Moab Music Festival and served as a generous and wise trustee. From 1999 on he was also deputy attorney for Grand County, making countless trips to Moab with Julia for both business and pleasure. He never retired, settling his last case from his sickbed. Scott served in the LDS Church as the Guam Branch President, in a bishopric in the Oakland 1st Ward, and taught the High Priests group in the Logan 8th Ward for many years. Most recently, he especially enjoyed home teaching. Throughout his life Scott's interests included photography, gardening, home improvement, health, music, astronomy, maps, reading, word puzzles and games, chess, coin collecting, walking and hiking, tennis, bike riding, skiing, and golf. He was a great example of physical and mental well-being, intellect, wit, and wisdom, unconditional love and boundless generosity. Scott leaves his family with many wonderful memories of love of life, faith, humility, integrity, and humor. Friends and family can enjoy some of his thoughts on http:// scottshumbleopinions.blogspot.com/. He is survived by his wife Julia, of Logan; his children, Cathryn Frisby (Stephen R.) of Orem, Utah, Janice Graham (Stephen F.) of Pleasant Grove, Utah, Michael Barrett (Leslie Tomkins) of Bronx, New York, Belinda Jensen (Barry K.) of Pleasant Grove, Utah, Clark Barrett (Brenda Gardner) of Hyde Park, Utah, and Blake Barrett of South Lake Tahoe, Nevada, 26 grandchildren, and 28 great grandchildren, a brother, David Bruce Barrett of Salem, Oregon, a sister, Joyce Barrett Stephenson of Salt Lake City. W. Scott Barrett was preceded in death by two brothers, Gwynn William Barrett (2006) and Stephen Lee Barrett (2008). Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 10, 12:30 p.m., at the LDS chapel at 325 Lauralin Drive, Logan. A viewing will be held previous to the funeral from 10-12 noon. Interment will follow at Logan City Cemetery. Memories and condolences may be shared with the famiy at www.webbmortuary.com. The family wishes to thank friends, business associates, and extended family for unfailing support and Alpine Home Health Care and Hospice for generous and tender care at every turn of events.