Robert Glenn Barrett, known to family and friends simply as Glenn, passed away peacefully
on August 27, 2026, in Denison, Texas, at the age of 70.
Glenn was born on July 16, 1956, in Harrisburg, Arkansas, to Nell and Buddy Barrett. He
spent his life doing things his own way, following his own compass, and living by a fiercely
independent spirit that refused to be confined by expectations, convention, or the rules
others thought he should follow.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Nell and Buddy Barrett; his beloved soulmate,
Connie Ray Barrett; and his brother, Danny Barrett.
He is survived by his daughters, Christy and Abby, whom he loved beyond measure; his
loving companion, Tashia Knowles; his siblings, Kathy, Harold, Paul, and Pam; along with
numerous extended family members, friends, and fellow travelers whose lives were touched
by his larger-than-life personality.
Glenn was a true jack of all trades. Throughout his working years, he spent much of his
career as an auto mechanic and line cook, though no job title could ever fully define him.
Whether anyone asked for his opinion or not, Glenn was always willing to share exactly what
he thought. He had little patience for foolishness, stood firmly by his convictions, and
possessed a bold honesty that people either appreciated immediately or learned to
appreciate over time.
To those who knew him best, however, the tough exterior concealed a remarkably sensitive
heart. He loved deeply and cared profoundly for the people fortunate enough to be part of his
inner circle.
Nothing brought Glenn greater joy than being a father. Despite the twenty-eight years
separating his daughters in age, both Christy and Abby remained "his girls" throughout their
lives. He took pride in their strength, encouraged them to stand up for themselves, and
taught them that life's greatest successes mean little if you forget to enjoy the journey along
the way.
Glenn loved adventure and freedom. An intentional vagabond for nearly a decade, he chose
a life of wandering and exploration, eventually traveling through all forty-eight continental
United States. Among his favorite places were Texas, Arkansas, Michigan, California, and
Colorado. He found peace in nature and enjoyed fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, and
spending time outdoors wherever the road happened to take him. For Glenn, wandering was
never about being lost. It was about freedom. He never viewed those years as a hardship.
He viewed them as an adventure. Colorado held a particularly special place in Glenn's

heart. When Abby was younger, the two took a road trip there together, filling the
miles with stories, laughter, and adventure. For years Glenn talked about moving to
Colorado once Abby turned eighteen, but when the time came, he couldn't quite bring
himself to leave his baby girl behind.
He also had a deep appreciation for music, live concerts, creativity, and good company. He
was often the life of the party, bringing laughter, stories, humor, and unforgettable energy
wherever he went. Blessed with an incredible green thumb, Glenn could seemingly grow
anything and took great pride in nurturing flowers, plants, and gardens throughout his life.
Family members often joked that he could bring almost any plant back to life. Christy once
managed to nearly kill an aloe vera plant after leaving it languishing on a patio in the Texas
sun for months. Glenn revived it by simply letting one ice cube melt into the soil each day. To
his daughters, he was nothing short of a plant magician.
Born and raised in the Baptist faith, Glenn followed Christian principles throughout much of
his life. In later years, he found a strong connection to Buddhist teachings and philosophy.
Though he never formally converted, he embraced many of Buddhism's values concerning
compassion, mindfulness, and finding peace within oneself. While his spiritual path evolved
over time, his values remained remarkably consistent: compassion, honesty, gratitude, and a
belief that life should be lived fully and intentionally.
One of the most significant chapters of Glenn's life was his relationship with Connie Ray
Barrett. When Glenn finally slowed down enough to build a life with someone, that someone
was Connie. For all his wandering and independence, Glenn found home in Connie. Connie
understood Glenn in a way few people ever could.
Perhaps no loss affected Glenn more deeply than the death of his soulmate, Connie Ray
Barrett, in April 2001. Those who loved him witnessed how profoundly that loss shaped the
remainder of his life. Today, his family finds comfort in imagining the peace and reunion he
longed for during so many years apart.
In the final chapter of his life, Glenn was grateful to find love and companionship
again with Tashia Knowles. Together they shared laughter, friendship, adventures,
and the comfort of having someone to walk beside him through life's later years.
Tashia brought happiness, care, and companionship to Glenn during a season of life
when those gifts meant the most, and his family is deeply thankful for the love they
shared.
Glenn would want to be remembered not as a perfect man, but as an authentic one: a man
who lived boldly, loved fiercely, challenged expectations, embraced freedom, and refused to
be anyone other than himself. He embraced life fully, in his own way, and leaves behind
countless stories, memories, and lessons that will continue to live on through those who
loved him.

May he rest in peace, reunited with those who went before him and forever remembered by
those who remain.