Main fundraiser photo

Shane Barrett Memorial Fund

“We know he had a long reception line in Heaven eagerly awaiting his arrival.”

Shane Barrett, husband, son, brother, nephew, uncle, and friend was taken far too soon from all those who were fortunate to know and love him.

In the early morning hours of February 7, 2018, Shane passed away peacefully after a courageous five-month battle with metastatic cancer.  His equally courageous wife and best friend, Kim, was with him through every step of this journey they shared.  He may have had cancer, but it didn’t have him.  He loved life and even during his illness, he was so positive.  After brain surgery, he declared “I’m gonna beat this!”  That was Shane and he was an inspiration to all who knew him. 

Born in Everett, WA, Shane stood out because of his life story and his unique sense of humor and gift for finding humor in everything.  When he graced you with his contagious laugh and gleam in his eye, you couldn’t help but laugh with him.  He experienced early struggles, but he worked hard to pursue his dreams including working his way through college in Pullman, WA. 

During his 14 years at Washington State University, he did some spectacular work as a Media Services Coordinator, developing the Washington Extension Conferencing System until this project was dismantled.  In 2009, he was honored with the Spirit Award for exhibiting excellence in his work at WSU.  In his next position as a Unified Communications Engineer at St. Luke’s Health System in Boise, Shane built a telehealth system.  Last year, his career path led him to PeaceHealth in Vancouver, WA, where as an Audio Visual Technician/Engineer, he continued his work connecting people through systems that linked hospital and executive offices. 

Shane loved trains, models and the real deal, and traveling with Kim.  Their adventures took them from Florida to Maine to California and Washington and everywhere in between.  In Washington, D. C., he presented on immigration with the YWCA to a state Congresswoman.  He was passionate about band, especially playing the bass drum, and loved spending time with his dogs and cats.  More recently he “got the fever” for fishing, and he was looking forward to learning to fly fish.

He began all kinds of house projects, some of which he finished, and he always started these at 3:00PM on Sunday!  And he and his wife Kim loved to design and create relaxing garden oases complete with koi ponds at every single one of their homes.  Always busy with the house and technology, Shane in his beautiful quirkiness collected little gadgets he found fascinating, including Leatherman tools and key chains. 

Shane had a memory like nobody’s business, and recalled the weirdest little details including numbers and codes that surprised his wife and colleagues.  He also had the unique ability to tear things apart in his mind, and then put them back together while making them better.  He was always improving things whether it was technology, the house, or positivity in the world.

He had a deep relationship with God that carried him through hard times and directed him as a person.  This strong faith also contributed to his positive attitude in the face of challenges.

With his wife, Kim, he shared a very strong, unique relationship.  They got along so well and just loved being around each other.  He never got tired of being with her.  One of their favorite times together was going for coffee at 2AM when they couldn’t sleep and drawing their yard and pond plans on napkins and talking.  Quite simply…they were soul mates and best friends. 

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I’m one of Shane’s many friends, Caryn Guse, who lives in Minnesota.  His wife Kim and I have been friends for over 30 years, and when Shane entered her life, he became my friend as well. It is my great honor to set up and manage this fundraiser. All donations will go to the account beneficiary, Kim Barrett, who is Shane's beloved wife. 

This GoFundMe account is here to raise funds to offset the cost of Shane's funeral expenses and medical bills and ease the financial burden on his wife.  It's also a place to celebrate the life of a man who always made us laugh and is always in our hearts.    

You can help get the word out to others by sharing this link on your Facebook Timeline.  Your donation to Shane’s memorial fund is so greatly appreciated.  THANK YOU so much for honoring Shane this way and supporting Kim through your love and kindness.

Donations 

  • Jodi Jones
    • $50 
    • 6 yrs

Organizer and beneficiary

Caryn Guse
Organizer
St. Paul, MN
Kim Barrett
Beneficiary

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