January 12, 2021, 58, Mount Olive –

Howard Leroy Barrett, Jr., known as “Junior” to some, passed from his earthly home on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, while at Vidant Duplin Hospital in Kenansville. His death was attributed to COVID 19 complications. Howard grew up in the Shiloh community of Willard in Pender County and was a resident of the Beautancus community near Mount Olive at the time of his passing.

Howard was a wonderful husband, a loving father, and gracious son and brother. His loves were his wife, his son, fishing, and his dogs. He enjoyed the freedom of riding his motorcycle on “the tail of the dragon” and also to Key West, Florida, and to any place he took a notion to go to, and just living the free country life.

Howard was employed by Branch Civil Construction Company of Virginia Beach, Va., and prior to this employment, he was with Barnhill Construction for most of his adult life. He loved seeing all the completed projects that he had a hand in their making, scattered all over North Carolina and Virginia.

Howard leaves behind his wife, Lynn Faulk Barrett, of the home; his son, Howard Leroy “Tripp” Barrett III and his partner, Drew Murray, of Orlando, Fla.; his mother, Mavis Newton Barrett of Harrells; two sisters, Jane Marshburn and husband, Charlie, of Harrells, and Karen Vernon and husband, J. R., of the Shiloh community, Willard; several uncles and aunts, and cousins.

Also surviving him is a step-daughter, Rebecca Outlaw Dyer and husband, Christopher, and their four children; and step-son, Andrew Outlaw and companion, Ashley Collins, and their three children; and his Pop-in-law, Oliver Faulk, all of the Mount Olive area; and many dear friends.

His father, Howard Leroy “Bud” Barrett, Sr., preceded him in death.

Howard’s life will be remembered at a graveside service to be held Sunday, January 17, at 3 p.m. at the Faulk Family Cemetery, Pettifoot Road, Mount Olive. The Rev. Paul Rose will officiate. Flowers are welcome, or memorial gifts may be made to a charity of one’s choice.