Calvin H. Barritt

Calvin H. Barritt was born September 14, 1931, in Mercer County Missouri and died January 8, 2015 in Columbia Missouri. Calvin was the third of seven children born to Uarda and Laurel Barritt. Cal was a born entertainer who was always good for a story of the adventures he shared growing up in rural Missouri and who entertained many with his unending jokes. Calvin served as a Sergeant in the United States Army, spending 1.5 years serving in Germany. After receiving an honorable discharge, he continued his service to his country in the United States Army Reserves. Calvin went to work at McDonnell Douglas shortly after leaving active duty, where he met the love of his life, Arletta Adams, who preceded him in death. They wed December 11, 1954, and he proudly became stepfather to Charlotte Kay, Roger Stephen, and Garry Richard Adams. Calvin and Arletta were married 58 years and shared a bond envied by all who knew them. One testament of their very close union is the fact that they not only lived together, but they happily worked together at McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) for 34 years retiring on the same day. After retirement Calvin and Arletta spent much time traveling and it is believed they stepped foot into all 50 states. They took more than 15 cruises and he spoke very fondly of them all. Cal liked to bar-b-que on weekends and all of their friends and neighbors enjoyed the big band music they played and danced to on their patio while he bar-b-qued. His grandchildren, great-grandchildren and the children in the neighborhood enjoyed the many mechanical toys he kept behind his basement bar. Calvin is survived by sisters Pauline Pollock, Ruby Waton and Mary Vinzant; his stepdaughter Charlotte Atkinson, grandchildren Lisa Neugarten, Marianne Banic, Garry Adams, Kimberly Godbey, and Leslie Gibson, numerous nieces and nephews and 15 great-grandchildren. Calvin was preceded in death by brothers James and Paul, sister Della Mae Whitley, stepsons Roger Steven and Garry Richard, and grandson Charles Glenden Adams II. Of all the roles Calvin played: cherished friend, trustworthy neighbor, beloved brother or Grampy one could argue that the role he deemed the most important was that of loving husband. While we will mourn our loss we can all take solace in knowing that Calvin is now reunited with his wife.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association.