Vance Hopkins Barrett, Jr.

Vance Hopkins Barrett, Jr.

Vance Hopkins Barrett, Jr., 65, passed away unexpectedly on November 3, 2022, in Wasilla, Alaska.

Vance was born in Pueblo, Colorado, on February 20, 1957, to Vance and Josephine Barrett. He was always drawn to music and teaching, which led him to Southern Colorado University, where he graduated with a music education degree.

After graduating, he worked as a teacher in Grenada, Colorado. In 1982, while touring with his band, Vance met Lynette and her children. They were married in 1983, in Rawlins, Wyoming, and then moved to St. Joseph, Missouri where Vance taught music for two years.

In 1985, Vance and Lynette welcomed a baby girl and made the decision to move from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Palmer, Alaska, to pursue a teaching position. In 1987, they welcomed their baby boy. Vance taught for many years as a music teacher at Finger Lake Elementary and later took a position teaching music at Houston Jr/Sr High School.

Vance was very active in the musical community in the Valley. He was the first director of the community band, and he would often guest conduct and adjudicate.

Outside of music, Vance loved hunting and fishing, especially when he got to go with his children. They will always have fond memories of being taught how to fish all over the Mat-Su Valley, sledding in Hatcher Pass, and tubing around the neighborhood behind a van or 4-wheeler.

Vance cared deeply about people and was always there to help whenever someone needed a hand. He would give the shirt off his back or the last dollar he had if he thought that it was going to help someone. As we all have, Vance struggled with some things, but in the last years of his life, he worked to right his wrongs, forgive himself, and rely on our Savior, Jesus Christ to guide him. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Vance is lovingly remembered by his wife, Lynette Barrett; his four children, Amanda Hausser and spouse Robert of Nampa, Idaho, Aaron Barrett and spouse Debbie of Rigby, Idaho, Amber Barrett Cadwalader and spouse Jason of Menan, Idaho, and Adam Barrett and spouse Shayna of Wasilla, Alaska; his grandchildren, Natalie Gomez and spouse Jesse, RJ Hausser, Tora Waisanen, Tyler, Sadie, Pieper, Naomi, Ellie, and Troy Barrett of Rigby, Idaho, Garrett Cadwalader of Ft. Hood, Texas, Alora Barrett of Menan, Idaho, Maci, Maelyn, Maiella, Adam Jr., and Alexander Barrett of Wasilla, Alaska; his great-grandson Taylor Gomez of Kuna, Idaho; his sister Geraldine Ewart and spouse Lynn; nephews Eric (Vance’s godson), Derrick, and Andrew of St. Joseph, Missouri; his sister Joyce Tulley of Pueblo, Colorado; and his brother Ernie Barrett of Pueblo, Colorado.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Vance and Josephine Barrett, and sisters Mary and Connie.

On behalf of the family, we want to thank all those that have reached out with support, love, and prayers as we grieve this loss.

Vance’s memorial service will be December 3, 2022, at 11:00 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located at 560 West Bogard Rd, Palmer, AK 99645. The service will be streamed and the link will be posted on Vance’s Facebook page as well as the pages of family members. There will be light refreshments after the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to a public-school music department in Vance’s name via DonorsChoose.org.