Monte Alan Barrett

Monte Alan Barrett
July 19, 1944- April 21, 2015 Monte Alan Barrett was born in Kalamazoo, MI on July 19, 1944, to Henry and Rowena Barrett. He was one of four children with brothers Ron and Steve and sister Cinda. He grew up in Vicksburg and would remain there for most of his life. He attended Vicksburg Schools where he competed in tennis and played the clarinet in the band. In 1962, Monte graduated from Vicksburg High School. It was during this time where his love of cars would begin. In 1964, Monte met Nancy Rambow and they soon fell in love. They were married on Election Day, November 3, 1964. During their marriage, she gave him two amazing boys, David and younger brother Michael, who brought amazing joy to his life. In the early 1970's Monte owned M & J Standard, a local service station off of Portage Road. Here he was in his glory, working on cars and meeting new people. In 1972, he would then meet his second wife Susan Messner while having her car serviced. Being the smooth talker he was, he later got her number off the work order and called to ask her out. They were later married on November 19, 1972. During this marriage, Sue gave him two beautiful daughters to cherish, Christy, and her younger sister, Wendy. During that marriage, Monte went to work at The Upjohn Company in Portage, MI. During these years he made some really amazing friendships with his coworkers. He would work there until officially retiring in 2001. Monte spent most of the next few years providing full time around the clock care for his mother and father when they became ill. A man that was always true to his word, Monte had promised to take care of them to avoid nursing homes for both of them until they passed away. It would be in the later years that Monte would purchase his family farmhouse on 5 acres and carry on the family's tradition of having horses and spending endless hours mowing with his favorite John Deere tractor that had every accessory known to man. When he wasn't mowing, he was on his other tractor tending to his rather large asparagus field. He eventually built a pole barn to work on cars, tractors, and pretty much anything he could get his hands on. You always knew when he was working in his shop, because every neighbor for a mile away could hear the loud volume of his old time Rock and Roll playing from the ol'pole barn. On occasion, he was even known to throw in a little dancing too. Later in life, he met Heddy Cross and they ended up spending the remainder of their living years together. They both shared their love of camping up north, horses, bowling, gambling, dancing, and just living life to the fullest. Although they never married or lived under the same roof until around 2000, they managed to do most everything together. When Monte would go out, he loved having Sunday dinners or cookouts with his kids and grandkids. Monte became a regular fixture at many of the local restaurants here in the Portage area; Yogis, Callahan's, Finley's, Theo and Stacy's just to name a few. He was almost a staple in each of these restaurants, like Norm on cheers, when he walked in he would be guaranteed to know a handful of people.
About five years ago, shortly after Monte moved in with his lifelong companion, Heddy, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and Dementia. Again, a man of his word, he vowed to take care of her the best that he knew how. This journey would last for the next couple of years until Heddy eventually ended up at Hospice Rose Arbor where she spent most of her last two months. It was a struggle but Monte came to terms that he couldn't possibly do any more for her. Monte was vigilant and was there almost every morning and evening making sure her care was supreme and nothing was overlooked. The hospice workers fell in love with him because of his heart of gold and loving dedication to his significant other. He and the staff of Rose Arbor shared many tears of frustration and helplessness and helped him cope with the loss of his dear Heddy when she lost her battle in August, 2014. Monte was a man that was full of love for his family and friends. He would do anything for you and expected nothing in return. He was truly the simplest man, never asking anything of anyone else, but always offering what ever he was able to. Our father, grandfather, uncle, brother and friend to all was admitted into Bronson Hospital on April 1, 2015. Two weeks later he was transferred to Hospice Rose Arbor. Since this was the hospice Heddy had been in the staff were familiar with his smiling face. The medical director, nurses and assistants just couldn't get over how devoted he had been to Heddy. They welcomed him with open arms telling family what an honor it was to take care of the man that had so lovingly taken care of his life partner. He spent less than a week in hospice surrounded by his loving family and friends and on April 21, 2015, with family by his side our heavenly father welcomed him with open arms. Our family would like to extend our extreme gratitude to friends and family for all of the prayers, thoughtful cards, notes, donations, visits, and unbelievable love that has been shown to our family in this most difficult time. We are extremely blessed and thankful. A celebration of Monte's life will be held Friday, May 22 at the Main Street Restaurant in Vicksburg from 6-9pm. If anyone wishes to donate to Monte's cause, the family asks that you donate to the amazing facility who took such unbelievable care of him in his last days. We are asking that any donations please be made to Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo, MI, in c/o Monte Barrett. Those wishing to send flowers should send them to Sue Barrett, 4098 Channelview, Vicksburg, MI 49097.