Dr. John David Barrett, age 77, went peacefully to join Jesus on June 15, 2026. Parkinson's disease may have taken his strength and balance, but it never touched his love for his Lord, his wife, his children and grandchildren, family and friends.

Left behind to grieve his earthly death are his wife of 38 years, Mary Lynn; his children, Campbell Barrett, and Scott Barrett (Laura), Kimberly Bright (Don), and Amanda Stephens (Julio); his grandchildren: Morgan, Preston, Hannah, Katie Grace, Noah, Christian, and Grayson.... and all of you who loved Dave!

Dave accepted Christ as his personal savior in 1974, and has not stopped serving Him since. Dave has served in many roles in the camp and state level of the Gideons International, being the Virginia State Gideon President from 2005 to 2008. He made International Scripture Blitzes, giving away many copies of God's Word, to Namibia and Madagascar. Dave worshipped and served at Lakeside Baptist Church in Salem, VA.

Dave's professional career was also one blessed by the Lord. He began his service in Cooperative Extension as a 4-H agent in 1973 and retired as the Director of Cooperative Extension and associate Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech in 2003.

Dave was born in Tazewell, VA, on April 5, 1949. He received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees at VA Tech, where he served in the Corp of Cadets, going on to complete 6 years in the Army Reserves. He received his Doctorate from Ohio State University in 1979.

Dave is predeceased by his parents, Hubert and Ida Barrett, His brother, Dallas Barrett, and his first wife, Monica Barrett.

Dave was an avid hunter, spending many hours in his den, surrounded by mounts of elk, caribou, and deer. In what spare time the Lord granted Dave, he was a beekeeper, having as many as 110 hives that produced honey for the "Bees and Barretts" Honey Business.

We want to especially thank the staff of Gentle Shepherd Hospice, who met all of our needs in the final days of Dave's earthly life.

A funeral service celebrating Dave's life will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem with Pastor Carl Goodman officiating. The interment will immediately follow the service at Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem. Friends may visit with the family from 12 p.m. until the service hour at the funeral home.

The service will be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person. The livestream will be viewable under the obituary.

If you would like to join in celebrating Dave's earthly life, please give Bibles through the Gideons International, P.O. Box 1291, Salem, Virginia, 24153.

Thank you for loving all of us during these difficult days.