Tom H. Barrett

Tom H. Barrett, 93, passed away on Monday, April 15, 2024 in Naples, FL. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marilyn Dunn Barrett, to whom he was married for 53 years before she passed in 2010. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Pauline and brothers, Paul and Jack.

Tom was born on August 13, 1930 in Topeka, Kansas to William Valentine Barrett and Myrtle Huss Barrett. Born the fourth of ten children, he grew up on a poultry farm where he first learned the values of hard work and integrity that were the hallmarks of his life. He attended Kansas State University where he graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering and later endowed the Tom H. Barrett Faculty Chair in Chemical Engineering. He met his future wife Marilyn at Kansas State. He served in the U.S. Army as a Lieutenant for two years during the Korean War teaching electronics.

After his Army service, he started his career at Goodyear Tire and Rubber as a tire plant trainee. Tom worked at Goodyear for the next 40 years. Throughout his Goodyear career, he and Marilyn moved their family through Kansas, Ohio, Alabama, Massachusetts, Illinois, Luxembourg, and Ohio for a second time. He spoke fondly of the work his wife Marilyn did to ensure these moves went smoothly for the whole family. He also obtained a Master’s in Business from the MIT Sloan School of Management. Starting as an engineer, Tom rose through the manufacturing ranks to become the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Goodyear. After Goodyear, Tom was active on several boards of directors and in private equity.

He is survived by his three daughters, Sara Ellerhorst (Jim), Susan Kelleher (Steve), and Jennifer Tenbarge (Harold); eight grandchildren, Blake Kelleher (Nikki), Sara-Kate DeBord (Kyle), Nick Kelleher, Andrew Ellerhorst (Danielle), Elizabeth Ellerhorst, Barrett Tenbarge (Lauren), Kate Lehman (Sawyer), and Will Tenbarge; ten great-grandchildren; siblings, Bill Barrett, Bonnie Wilson, Donna Leyden, John Barrett, Carolyn Keller, and Dick Barrett; and sister-in-law, Nancy Anderson.

His often-stoic demeanor belied a warmth and deep dedication he showed to his family, friends, and community. He will be remembered for his thoughtful notes to his daughters and grandchildren each Christmas (typed out in all capital letters), his work ethic and drive, and his love for golf, which he shared with family and many close friends.

Private services will be held.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Tee chapter in Naples, Florida or to the Music Fund at Naples United Church of Christ (UCC). Donations to First Tee can be made online at https://firstteenaplescollier.org/donate/, or by mail to First Tee - Naples/Collier, 1370 Creekside Blvd. Naples, FL  34108. Donations to the Music Fund at Naples UCC through https://onrealm.org/NaplesUnitedChu/-/form/give/TomHBarrett, or by mail to Naples UCC, 5200 Crayton Road, Naples, FL 34103.