Richard Barrett Obituary

Richard Crawford Barrett, IV

February 5, 1952 -

January 22, 2026

Richard "Rick" Crawford Barret IV, age 73, passed away on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at Johnson City Medical Center. A native of Newport News, Virginia, Rick was the son of the late Richard Bradford Barrett and Bernice Bailey Barrett. He was a graduate of Unicoi County High School and East Tennessee State University, and a member of Freedom Baptist Church in Erwin. Rick was a proud veteran of the United States Army and served his country and community in many aspects. Upon joining the Army, he attended Officer Candidate School where he obtained the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He attended numerous schoolhouses to further his training. He served the active-duty Army as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) officer where he performed numerous tasks and details including Presidential details. He left the active-duty Army with the rank of Captain and then continued his service in the Army Reserves where he obtained the rank of Major. After leaving the Army Reserves, he continued his service to his home state by joining the Tennessee State Guard, where he was promoted yet again to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During his tenure in the Tennessee State Guard, he assisted in coordinating Remote Area Medical clinics to bring medical care to those in need. His awards include the Expert Rifleman badge, Senior EOD badge, Army Service Ribbon, and Army Commendation medal.

Prior to his military service, he was employed by the Johnson City Press Chronicle and the Johnson City Police Department. After leaving military service, he continued his career by performing duties for the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. He became a Special Agent with the Department of the Treasury investigating White Collar Crimes. He performed duties for the Department of Energy at the Savannah River Plant and Redstone Arsenal. He was an Instructor at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Brunswick, Georgia, training countless Law Enforcement Officers from across the country, from allied nations across the globe, and traveled to allied nations to perform training instruction in-country.

After his retirement, he loved working in his garage on his menagerie of motorcycles and old vehicles. He enjoyed working on anything and everything and was always tinkering with something. During his son's senior year of high school, Rick returned to his high school alma mater to assist with coaching the Shot put and Discus team of the Unicoi County High School Track Team, where he was once an outstanding athlete. In addition to his parents, Rick is preceded in death by his Aunt and Uncle, Hazel and Harold Elmore; and his best friends and furbabies, Shadow, Bear, and most recently, his great-furbaby, Rosebud.

Richard "Rick" Crawford Barrett, IV, has left behind to cherish his memory: his wife, Linda (Wilson) Barrett; his son, Richard "Rick" Crawford Barrett V; sister, Betty Chandler (Gary); sisters-in-law: Joy Hensley, Connie Smith (Vestal), Brenda Jones, Debra McNabb (Gary), and Diana Smith (fiancé, John Lowry); and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends who loved him dearly.

The family would like to offer special thanks to his bedside nurses and caregivers for their kindness and care during this difficult time.

The family respectfully requests the honor of your presence as we offer tribute and remember the life of Richard "Rick" Crawford Barret IV, in a graveside committal service to be held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, in Mountain Home National Cemetery. Pastor Les Honeycutt will officiate. Honorary pallbearer will be Lou Nelson.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Rick's name to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas, 66675-8516; St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN, 38105; or Freedom Baptist Church, 549 N Elm Ave., Erwin, TN, 37650.

Valley Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Richard "Rick" Crawford Barret IV.