Obituary: Barnett, Rodney Wayne “Rod”
He was the only child of Don Barnett and Ann Simchuk Barnett.
They moved to Spokane, Washington when Rod was two.
He attended Finch Grade School and graduated from Shadle Park High School in 1962.
Rod attended Gonzaga University studying business.
While there, he met and married his wife Patricia Johnson.
In addition to his studies, he joined ROTC and during his freshman year played for GU’s golf team.
Rod’s years at Gonzaga were the most influential and formative, creating many lifelong friendships with his fellow classmates as well as an enduring devotion to the Bulldogs.
In 1966 he graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting and was commissioned in the U.S. Army as Second Lieutenant.
Rod continued his education in the fall of 1966, attending Gonzaga Law School where he received his Juris Doctorate in 1970.
After graduating from Law School he reported for active duty to Fort Knox, Kentucky, later returning to Spokane to join the Washington Army National Guard.
Rod was honorably discharged from the Army in May 1980 with the rank of Captain.
Rod originally intended to practice law to support his young family, but in 1970 decided to return to Spokane and help operate the family business, Carr Sales, an electrical supply company.
Rod was a highly principled and ethical man.
He had a profound sense of duty and devotion, especially to his family, friends, relatives, and to the business and his employees.
Rod was honest to a fault and his integrity was never questioned.
He was an extremely moral man who never judged and had compassion and understanding for those around him.
He was sought out for advice and guidance by others and his kindness and inherent decency made him a valued member of the community.
In 1971 Rod became president of Carr Sales when his father retired.
He always said he enjoyed going to work and couldn’t quite understand the word ‘retirement’, working well past retirement age.
Rod was actively involved with the National Association of Electrical Distributors, acting as chairman for the NW area and later being elected to the board of directors.
He expanded Carr Sales in downtown Spokane and later established two additional branches.
Rod managed his company for over 40 years before passing it on to his son Richard.
Rod was a founding director of Sterling Financial Corporation and served as longtime chairman of the audit committee, retiring in August of 2010.
Unfailingly kind, generous and considerate, Rod was the sort of man with no enemies and many friends.
He had many interests such as boating, golfing, bird hunting, scuba-diving, gardening, and water and snow skiing; all of which allowed him to enjoy, share, and experience life with the many people he valued.
Rod was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing courses all over the US, but had the most fun with his friends from Manito Golf & Country Club and his Liberty Lake and Sun City guys.
Rod loved his hunting dog Rusty and enjoyed bird hunting with his son and friends.
He enjoyed summer boating and his salmon fishing trips.
His family’s travels to the ports, bays, and inlets of the Canadian Gulf Islands were full of adventures and experiences that will never be forgotten.
His most cherished times were spent at the ‘lake’ with his family, a very special place for all who knew him.
He created some of his family’s most cherished memories there.
First with his own children and later with his many grandchildren, upon whom he doted and thoroughly enjoyed watching grow up.
When Rod was younger he was not spiritual.
Later in life his faith became profoundly important to him.
After witnessing a car accident involving the drowning deaths of young children and being one of those who assisted in rescue, Rod was driven to question the meaning of life and its seemingly injustices.
Rod found comfort and solace as well as knowledge and understanding through the Catholic faith.
He was baptized at Sacred Heart Parish on April 15, 1995.
He was a devoted parishioner for the remainder of his life, enjoying one year on the Parish Council.
Rod is survived by his wife Trish Barnett and their three children: Richard Barnett, Christine and (Dennis) Mroczek, Kathleen (Dave) Grenon; and seven grandchildren: Kameran, Quinten, Philip, Jessica, Emily, Jack and Tom.
As husband, father, grandfather, relative, friend, colleague, employer, member of the community, Rod Barnett touched many lives and will be dearly missed.
The family asks that you come not to mourn his passing but to cherish his memory and celebrate his life.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 o’clock Saturday, May 18th at Sacred Heart Parish, 219 E. Rockwood Blvd, followed by a reception at Manito Golf & Country Club.
Committal service will be Monday May 20th, 11am, at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Rod requests instead of flowers, donations are made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children.
He would also like to thank Hospice and Sacred Heart Hospital, 7th floor south, for their care during his treatments.
Good night Dad, love you and like you.