By Daily Press staff
Pete was born on Jan. 10, 1922 to a Colorado family of modest financial means. They grew much of their own food, canning it and saving it for the harsh winters. They never thought of themselves as poor, but instead rich in family, friends and moral values.
Pete enlisted in the Army in 1940, serving in combat in the South Pacific. After the war he made his home in Santa Monica. He married Donna June Gillette in 1942 and together they raised five boys.
He was never afraid of life and approached everything he ever did with an absolute confidence in his success.
In 1946, with only a toolbox and bus tokens, he founded Barrett’s Appliances, which grew over the years into a successful landmark Santa Monica business that today is in its 56th year with the same family ownership.
Pete’s hobby was boxing and in the early 1960’s he founded a private boxing gymnasium known as the Santa Monica Athletic Club. Throughout the ’70s and ’80s, he was legendary to those who knew him for his superior boxing and general athletic skills.
Pete married Mary Susan Jiminez in 1979 and they enjoyed more than 23 years of devotion to one another. Together they were known in the Santa Monica community as a team in their far-reaching involvement with charitable organizations and special causes. These included Santa Monica College, California Heritage Museum, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica, the Salvation Army, the NCCJ and many others. His “Pete Barrett Open” golf tournament raised money for many years for the Santa Monica Kiwanis Club and various other youth charities.
He and Susan were able to enjoy extensive travel, visiting many parts of the world. They loved golfing, both together and with good friends.
Pete is survived by a legion of friends and by his family members, including his loving wife Susan, sons Pat of Santa Monica and Tim of Monterey; his brother Bill Kendrick and sister Anne Place of Colorado, along with six grand-children.
He was successful in all of his endeavors and enjoyed life to the fullest. Truly inspirational to his loving family and friends, he will be remembered fondly and missed by all.
A memorial service and mass will be held at St. Monica’s Church in Santa Monica on Jan. 8, 2003 at 4 p.m. Immediately following the services, the family will receive guests in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that any donations be made to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica or the Santa Monica College Foundation Scholarship Fund.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 31, 2002. Read the original PDF.