Gerald Oran Barrett

Gerald Oran Barrett of Bountiful, Utah passed away peacefully at his home on May 13, 2026. Jerry, as he was known to friends and family, was born in his beloved Aberdeen, Idaho to Henry and Hilda Barrett on October 11, 1939.

The oldest of nine children, Jerry graduated from Aberdeen High School in 1958 before joining the United States Air Force in 1959, serving as an electronics technician. He loved to reminisce that as a young man he would make the rounds from Aberdeen to Arimo but eventually he met Jerrie Lou Divin and swept her off her feet. They are affectionately referred to as “The Jerrys” by those that love them and they were married in Pocatello on April 28, 1962. They spent 64 hilarious, incredible, wonderful, exacerbating, charming, joyous, entertaining years together filled with lots of love and maybe a little bickering. After attending Idaho State University and the University of Utah School of Engineering, Jerry and his family settled in Bountiful, Utah in 1969. 

Jerry devoted more than 30 years to the Utah Department of Transportation, where he held many roles before retiring in 1998. He took enormous pride in his work, and anyone who knew him understood the passion and work ethic he brought to every job. When his grandchildren once asked his favorite color, he famously replied, “Neon orange, because it’s a good highway safety color.”

Jerry moved through life with a sense of humor all his own (sometimes intentional, sometimes not) and he left people laughing, and occasionally bewildered, wherever he went. He loved a cold beer in his hand, a clever one-liner, and striking up conversations with complete strangers.

Of all the roles he held throughout his life, being a grandfather was perhaps the one he treasured most. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, whether it was taking them to the park, dancing with his granddaughters, bringing his grandsons to skateboard at parks around the valley after school, or simply being present for every moment he could. He had a generous heart and would never hesitate to help his family with anything they needed. His love for hunting and fishing with his sons and grandsons created memories that will be cherished forever.

Jerry also took tremendous pride in his garden, which became well known in the neighborhood as a true work of art. He loved nothing more than to leave an overflowing basket of the things he grew on your front porch or make sure you never left his house empty handed. 

He is survived by his wife Jerrie Lou, sons, Lou (Carolyn) and Sean; grandchildren Kelsy (Jared), Hilary, Lauren (Kent), Connor (Esme), Jack, and Annika; great-granddaughters Khloe and Jade; seven siblings; and countless nieces, nephews, friends, and loved ones.

He was preceded in death by his son, Brandon Barrett; his parents; and his sister, Janine.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 11:00 am at St. Olaf Catholic Church, 315 East 1800 South, Bountiful, where a viewing will begin at 10:30 am. He will be laid to rest following the service at the Bountiful City Cemetery.