Remembering former GRF Board president Thomas Barratt

OBITUARY

by Ruth Osborn

rutho@lwsb.com

Former Mutual 15 resident Thomas E. Barratt, who served as GRF director from 1998-2013, died June 28, 2023, at the age of 85 in Duluth, Minnesota. That is where he and his wife, Mary Jean, moved in 2013 to be closer to family.

During his 16 years of GRF service, he served six terms as president of the board, two terms as vice president, four terms as treasurer and one term as corporate secretary.

Barratt’s community service in LW began in 1995, when he was appointed president of Mutual 15. He stayed on the Mutual board until he was elected to the GRF board in 1998. He became GRF president in June 2000 at the age of 62, taking over from Mildred Tuttle.

During his tenure, the GRF Board opened a new Health Care Center in 1998, oversaw the millennium celebration in 2000, dedicated Veterans Plaza in 2004, expanded the Minifarms in 2006 and dedicated the newly expanded LW Library in 2007. He was instrumental in opening North Gate Road in 2008 and chaired LW’s 50th anniversary committee, which executed a memorable celebration, including a parade, country fair, entertainment, three

Then-GRF President Thomas Barratt with librarian Sharon Arnold Rasp dedicating the LW Library ex -

pansion in 2007. themed dinners and a host of other fanfare, in 2012. Mary Greytak, 101, of Mutual 6, remembers that June day in 2012. She and her late husband, Gary, had set up a booth for their Cribbage Club, and it was a busy day with a lot of moving parts for her, Gary, Tom and Mary Jean.

“After it was all over, we were just exhausted,” Mary recalled, “and we went to a little restaurant and sat outside under a full moon. There was a breeze, and we had one little drink to celebrate that it was all over, and it went so well. It’s just one of so many good memories.”

Barrett is perhaps best remembered here for his unflappable leadership during turbulent years when Leisure World was at a legal crossroads: Was the community a nonprofit corporation, as was its designation since the 1960s, or a common interest development subject to the transparency and accountability provisions of the Davis-Sterling Act? Davis Sterling requires that certain association records be made available to residents.

For four years ending in 2008, the GRF was embroiled in a lawsuit seeking to redefine LW. The suit was filed by seven LW residents.

The GRF contended that Leisure World was structured differently from most private communities, such as gated subdivisions and condominiums that are ruled by homeowners’ associations, and that the laws for these associations did not apply.

Some residents disagreed, saying LW was a homeowner’s association, and financial and management records should be open.

The California Fourth District Appellate Court ultimately ruled in favor of the residents in a countersuit that the Golden Rain filed against them. The decision reaffirmed a lower court ruling that the GRF is indeed a common interest development so it must follow state rules governing homeowner’s associations.

The results of the closely watched case redefined how retirement communities like Leisure World are governed. The lawsuit ultimately became case law for California.

It was a time of conflict, drastic change and high emotion on all sides of the issue, but through it all, Barratt persevered with a unifying influence.

“Through his leadership and educational columns in the weekly paper, Tom tried hard to keep the shareholders informed about the ramifications of having GRF declared a HOA,” said Mary Milhone of Mutual 2.

“I also have fond memories of his many efforts to set up the computer lab in Clubhouse 5 for shareholder use and to have computer lit classes. I was employed as an adult ed teacher for Garden Grove Unified School District at the time, and he allowed me to teach the very first class! He also taught at the lab for many years.”

Barratt also served as president of the Golden Age Foundation, Leisure World’s philanthropic self-help organization.

Joan Shramek remembers his service and how Barratt encouraged her to accept the GAF presidency, which she held for three “wonderful years. I could not have done it without him,” she said. “I have lost a dear friend. He and (Shramek’s husband) Frank are chatting like old times in heaven now.”

Barratt was born on April 6, 1938, in Pasadena, California. He grew up in Southern California and enjoyed surfing, tennis and sailing. He met and married his wife, Mary Jean, in 1965. He earned a history degree from California State University, Los Angles. History remained a lifelong interest. He spent a lot of time helping to collect and curate Leisure World’s history as a member of the LW Historical Society, a group that thrives today under the leadership of Margaret Gillon.

Barratt also graduated from the Air War College, beginning a 37-year career of military service. He enlisted in the California National Guard serving part time as second lieutenant.

He became a full time California National Guardsman a few years after he and Mary Jean married, commuting to Santa Monica and then to Los Alamitos, where the couple relocated when his guard unit moved there.

He eventually joined the United States Army Reserve in Los Alamitos, and from there, he was promoted to colonel and given a new assignment in Forest Park, Illinois. When this four-year assignment ended, he retired from the U.S. Army. The Barratts returned to California, choosing Seal Beach Leisure World as their home for the next 20 years.

After 48 years of southern California living, Tom and Mary Jean moved to Duluth in 2013. He served for nine years as treasurer for their senior cooperative in Duluth, a port city on Lake Superior.

The couple enjoyed life there, with its ever-changing seasons, the Duluth Playhouse and the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra.

Throughout their marriage, the Barratts traveled extensively in the United States, Europe, Australia and China, and enjoyed lives as adventurous diners.

“He believed in treating all humanity with kindness and fairness,” said Mary Jean.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Mary Jean Barratt of Duluth, Minnesota; sister Sally Van Sittert of Ocean Springs, Mississippi; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held July 6 at St. Lawrence Church in Duluth.

Former GRF President Thomas Barratt