Obituary of Joseph James Barratt

JOSEPH JAMES JOE BARRATT Joseph James Joe Barratt passed away on Friday, February 17, 2012 at a Portland Hospital surrounded by people he loved. He was born in Camas to Millicent and Joseph Samuel Barratt on October 5, 1929, where he spent his entire life. He attended the Camas schools prior to going on to Washington State University to earn a degree in Chemical Engineering. He married Donna Mae Hansen on October 15, 1955 and was the father of three sons: Jim, at home, Mike wife Michelle of Houston Texas, and Chris currently assigned in Afghanistan wife Carol. His five grandchildren: Angela, Joseph, Meeta, Prasad and Anthony all reside in Texas. His sister Estella husband Charles and brother Jack wife Doris live in Vancouver. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Ray who is survived by wife Norma. After graduation, Joe worked at the Camas Crown Zellerbach Paper Mill, Malarkey Roofing, Camas Paper Mill Central Research Division, and retired from Simpson Timber's Overlay Division in Portland. Joe was a lifetime outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing and hunting, camping with his family and the 49ers Trailer Club, and times spent with his friends in the Osprey Walking Group. As a snow bird he also had a set of special friends in Yuma, Arizona. He and Donna enjoyed traveling and had explored a fair amount of this planet. Joe's sons were a joy to him and a source of pride. He passed on the best of life skills and a love of learning, watching them contribute to the areas of pharmacy and business, manned spaceflight and medicine, and international public health. Joe suffered with pulmonary problems for many years, but never complained. He may have been slowed a bit but lived well and never stopped. He inspired many people with his positive attitude, humility, and drive. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at The Camas/Washougal Wildlife League at 1pm. Straub's Funeral Home & Columbia River Cremation in Camas was in charge of the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Shriners Hospital for Children in Joe's name. To send condolences or to sign the online guest book please visit www.straubsfuneralhome.com