Kenneth Houston Barnett
Corpus Christi, TX
 

Kenneth Houston Barnett died Friday, May 13, 2011 in Corpus Christi, Texas.

He is survived by his wife, Burma and his children: Barry, Jeff, and Julie.

Ken was born in Corpus Christi on February 26, 1941 to Thomas and Ada Barnett. He attended Corpus Schools, graduating from Ray High School and then going on to Del Mar College where he earned an Associate's Degree in Drafting. Ken worked hard to advance himself in his profession, moving from drafting to electrical design and eventually instrumentation design and engineering. In the course of his career he worked at a variety of businesses around Corpus Christi, most notably spending several years designing instrumentation at Champlin refinery. Ken might have gone off to join the marines if he hadn't met the love of his life, Burma Gale Hall, while still in high school. Their fifty happy years together formally began when they were married on September 30, 1960, and their joy increased in the following four years with the births of their children.

Ken enjoyed bringing his children up in Corpus surrounded by family: in addition to his parents and mother-in-law, Dottie Hall, Ken's sisters: Patricia and Linda and his brother, Steve also lived in the city with their families. All share many happy memories of backyard barbecues, 'Friday lunches,' and getting together to celebrate big events and for no reason at all. Ken's quiet exterior concealed intelligence and a sharp sense of humor, and he often made his family laugh with a wry comment or a clever pun. He was intensely interested in ships, World War II and Civil War history, and Disney animation, and family vacations provided opportunities to share these interests with his wife and children. He was active in his church, serving as a Deacon for the Norton St. Church of Christ for several years, as well as in his community. When his sons were young he volunteered with Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, and he in later years he took great pleasure in volunteering on the U.S.S. Lexington and in serving as President of the Lexington Volunteer Association.

Ken passed away after many years of declining health, and his family will miss his quiet presence.

Surviving family includes wife, Burma Hall Barnett; son, Barry Donald Barnett; son, Jeffrey Thomas Barnett, his wife, Carrie, and their children: Hayden, Sarah, Amanda, and Rebecca; daughter, Julie Barnett Hoover, her husband, John, and their son, Sean; sister, Patricia Barrett, her husband, Tyler, and their children: Charlie and Lisa; sister, Linda Hockley, her husband, Allen Hockley, and her sons: Ryan and Danny Tonnon; and brother, Steven Barnett and his son, Travis Barnett.

Services will be held on Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at Guardian Funeral Home at 5813 Ayers Street.

Visitation with the family will be at noon, with the service following at 1:00 p.m..

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ken's name to the U.S.S. Lexington Volunteer Association.