Dash Barrett

William Dashle “Dash” Barrett, 15, was a young man, with a tired body, and a fine soul.

Before his birth, physicians announced that this child would be born with complications. Myelomengingocle Spina Bifida and hydrocephalus, syringomyelia, neuromuscular scoliosis. That’s a lot of syllables for 6-pound child to wear into life. Maybe all those syllables are one reason his parents nicknamed him “Dash.” And so began a sacred relationship between child and parents. They knew what was coming. “It was hard… but it was also awesome.”

Dash was kind, yet had the good sense to honor his thoughts and feelings. He was gentle, yet he cussed a few words, but only for effect. He had a short, complicated life, but within those 15 years he lived an original life and earned a place in that most sacred of real estate, people’s hearts. Dash lived a custom life. Forty-five surgeries will do that. Most of those of a serious nature.

For someone who never walked, Dash did a lot of going. He visited the Blue Ridge mountains and the Florida gulf coast. He backpacked (literally) with his family through the beautiful mountains and beaches of Puerto Rico, and he happily rode wagon >

“Dash was good and kind, undeniable and different.” His mother boiled Dash down to his essentials, “He was a good human,” which is a fine thing for a mother to say about a child. His parents were a team of love, commitment, and sacrifice. If humans can do angel work, it was surely done unto Dash. Dash was a true patriot. He was a brave boy, who played the cards he was dealt. Rather than pity, he earned respect, even from his elders. His love and respect for law enforcement and the military was pure and deep. He reveled in every encounter with anyone associated with the law. It never mattered to him if someone was a school crossing guard or a Command Sergeant Major, if you wore a badge, you had his ultimate respect. His passion was collecting patches from those that he adored so much. Out of all the people who have ever lived, there had never been a Dash. And then he was.

Blessed are those, who were close, in his orbit… Dash is survived by his parents, Stephanie Bennett Barrett and Christopher Wayne Barrett, sister Chinah Barrett Ridgway and husband Chris Ridgway, brother Blake Kellis Barrett, nephew Jack Jack, maternal grandmother Antonia Cormier Bennett Pesson and husband Terry Pesson, paternal grandmother Nancy Barrett, paternal grandfather, Thomas Barrett and wife Beverly. He has the most wonderful Aunts, Uncles, cousins, and more cousins than anyone could ask for. Family isn’t limited to your blood line, and with Dash if he knew you, you were as kin as blood. You were his family.

Visitation for Dash will be on Wednesday December 8, 2021 at University Baptist church from I:00 PM until 4:00 PM and will continue at the church on Thursday from 9:00 AM until 9:30 AM at University Baptist church, concluding with a Mass of Chistian Burial at 10:00 AM at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception with Monsignor Jace Eskind serving as Celebrant. Private interment will be at a later date.