Rev. Eugene Ross "Gene" Barrett
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Rev. Eugene Ross "Gene" Barrett

Reverend Eugene R. Barrett (94), of Dayton, PA passed away at home surrounded by his family on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.

Gene was born June 16, 1930 in Milton, PA; the oldest child of Raymond E. and Olive E. (Anthony) Barrett

He completed his college degree at Taylor University in 1952 and seminary at Westminster College in 1955 launching 40 years of ministry as a United Methodist pastor. Reverend Barrett served the Western Pennsylvania conference at six different charges including: West Bend, Fredericktown, Belsano/Strongstown, Perrysville Avenue, Duquesne, and Portage Pennsylvania. Across the 40 years of his ministry, he gave total dedication to the roles and responsibilities of the church including committee meetings, vacation bible school, weddings and funeral services, hospital visitations, in-home communion and even choir. Reverend Barrett's first charge was at West Bend, PA where he met his wife, Lorraine Haney. Gene and Lorraine were married June 18, 1955. When it came to his wife of 69 years, Gene was a hopeless romantic. Although he would name Niagara Falls as their honeymoon location, Lorraine, recalls a fishing trip to Canada.

Reverend Barrett participated in Pennsylvania Salvation Army Assistance program while in Portage, PA. He was the Dean of a summer Canadian Canoe Fishing camp for at least a dozen years that afforded Gene the opportunity to combine his passion for sharing the love of Jesus with young people while experiencing the Canadian wilds and fishing for pike and walleye.

Gene was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and raised a bountiful garden annually into his 90's. He was a dedicated, loving, and patient father to his four children. While along a fishing stream, Gene would cast aside his personal fishing goals to ensure his children's lines were not snagged on the bottom, or in a tree.

Gene officially retired in 1993 after 40 years of service. He moved into his childhood home in Dayton, PA. He continued to provide interim service at numerous local churches including North Point, Marchand and Sportsburgh with a nine year "Temporary" service at the Belnap United Church of Christ, finally settling in as pastor Emeritus at the United Methodist Church in his home town of Dayton PA. In his service for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, he also traveled to various parts of the United States including leading revivals in West Virginia, Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. He supported numerous missionaries, which also took him on a missionary trip to Tenwek Mission Hospital in Kenya Africa. He did not officially retire until Easter of 2010 at the age of 80.

His wife, Lorraine and their four children survive: Dean Barrett (Susan), Rae Ann Barrett Bridge (Mike), Melinda Barrett Murray (Kevin), and Dawn Barrett Stranathan (Michael). His grandchildren; Jarrod Barrett, Amanda Barrett Savcic (Marko), Joshua Bridge (Alexa), Alysha Bridge Brocious (Ian), Makayla Murray and Melina Murray, Colin Stranathan. His great-grandchildren; Elena Savcic, Bryce Brocious, Olivia Savcic, Sage Brocious, and Owen Bridge. He is also survived by his brothers; Lyle Barrett and James Barrett (Judy) as well as his sisters; Patricia Barrett Hetrick (Venton), Irene Barrett Allen, Paula Barrett Reedy (Herman) and sister in law Sharon Barrett.

He was predeceased by his parents Raymond and Olive Barrett and his brothers Raymond Barrett and Verle Barrett (Demona) and sister-in-law Lorena Barrett.

Gene's life was dedicated to ensuring that all people could come to the same cleansing and saving grace of Jesus that he experienced as a youth. He frequently asked, "If you died today, would you go to heaven?". He desired for all to not just "hope" for heaven, but also truly "know" that eternal life is theirs through Jesus. These were not just hollow words but rather how he lived his life. Well done, my good and faithful servant.

Viewing hours will be held at the Dayton Global Methodist Church, 105 East Church Street, Dayton, PA on Saturday Feb. 8, 2025 from 4 PM to 8 PM. Celebration of life service is scheduled at the Dayton Global Methodist church on Sunday Feb. 9, 2025 with viewing prior to the service starting at 10AM and celebration at 11 AM.

Interment will be in Milton Cemetery, Dayton, PA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dayton Global Methodist Church in memory of Rev. Eugene Barrett, PO Box 336, Dayton, PA 16222.

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Rev. Eugene Ross "Gene" Barrett
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