Thomas E. Barkett

Services for Thomas Elias Barkett, 90, of Longview, will be held Saturday, March 13, 2010, at 2 PM in the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home, Longview, with Reverend Shanna Suarez officiating. Entombment will follow at Rosewood Park Mausoleum. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 PM Friday at the funeral home. Tommy was born July 14, 1919 in Marshall, Texas and passed away Wednesday March 10 in Longview where he was a resident for 43 years. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Elias Thomas and Latiffe Haddad Barkett, his brother, Donald and sister Louise Barkett McNamara. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Ann Birdwell Barkett, son and daughter in law, William Y. Skippy and Faye Barkett of Jasper, FL, daughter, Rikki Birdwell Kruse of Longview, daughters and sons in law, Kathy and Scott Wright of Hawkins, Vivian and Darryl Gillcoat of Hallsville and Sharon and Gene Martin of Forney. Thomas has 14 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, several cousins, a niece, a nephew and longtime special friend Richard Cruz, who was like a son. Thomas graduated from Marshall High School in 1927. He was a veteran of WWII after serving in the Army Air Corp from October 13, 1941 to November 30, 1945 when he was honorably discharged. He retired from Thiokol and worked several years in real estate. Among his favorite hobbies was fishing, gardening and cooking delicious Lebanese cuisine and holiday candies for his family and friends. He was a lifetime member of VFW Post 4002 and a member of the American Legion 40/8, Post No. 0140 in Longview. He was also a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, Longview, TX. The Barkett family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to LifeCare Hospice and Beacon Hospice at Margaret's House and their kind and caring staff during Tommy's illness and a special thanks to all the wonderful neighbors and friends who helped in so many ways. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P. O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101, LifeCare Hospice, 1809 Gilmer Road, Longview, TX 75604, Beacon Hospice at Margaret's House, 5016 Gilmer Road, Longview TX 75604, Trinity Episcopal Church, 900 Padon, Longview, TX 75601 or the charity of your choice.

Thomas E. Barkett

July 14, 1919 - March 10, 2010