Joseph William Barrett, age 96, of Malta, passed away at his home in Malta on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011.

He was born Oct. 4, 1915, to William Marshall and Nina Rosina (Litson) Barrett in South Cottonwood, Utah, and spent most of his years growing up in Malta. He married Mary Luana Meacham on Dec. 16, 1937, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. He has lived in Los Angeles, Long Beach, Sacramento and Patterson, Calif., finally settling in Malta. He has no surviving siblings out of a family of 12.

He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Luana Barrett of Malta; 10 of his 11 children, JoAnn (Gary) Gray of Fair Oaks, Calif., Barbara (Keith) Damon of Park City, Utah, Terry (Kay) Barrett of Oakdale, Calif., Dennis Barrett of Puxico, Mo., Karen (Joe) Gonzales of West Sacramento, Calif., Lynda (Mark) Jansson of Elk Grove, Calif., Royce Barrett of Redding, Calif., Marva Call of Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., Byron (Lori) Barrett of Burley and Joe (Sue) Barrett of Malta. A son, Bill Barrett, is deceased. He has many, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has served faithfully in many positions. He has always been a good example to his family and friends. He worked hard on the farm to provide for his family. He had a great sense of humor and was very loving and patient. He loved the Lord and always attended church, had family prayers and read the scriptures daily. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, at the Malta LDS Church, with Bishop Jeff Johnson officiating. Burial will be in the Valley Vu Cemetery in Malta.

Posted in Obituaries on Tuesday, November 22, 2011