Mr. Ellwood Talmage Barrett

September 14, 1930 - October 31, 2020

Retired Colonel Ellwood Talmage Barrett, 90, of Madisonville, Texas passed away on Saturday, October 31, 2020. A celebration of his life will be scheduled on Sunday; December 6, 2020 at 2:00 P.M at The First United Methodist Church in Madisonville, Texas with Rev. Jim Jackson officiating. The burial with military honors will immediately follow at Madisonville Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Saturday; December 5, 2020 from 5-7 P.M. at Day Funeral Home in Madisonville, Texas. Colonel Ellwood Talmage Barrett was born on September 14, 1930 in Houston, Texas, the oldest son of William Talmage Barrett and Louise Battiss Barrett. He attended public school in Houston. The summer before his junior year in high school, 1947, he moved to Madisonville and graduated from Madisonville High School in 1949. He played football one year and basketball two years. Ellwood was an outstanding basketball player and was captain of the first M.H.S. team to go to State. After graduation, he attended Texas A&M University for one semester and then transferred to Allen Academy where he played basketball for two years. He then entered The University of Texas at Austin, and at that time married his high school sweetheart, Marie Whitley on July 3, 1952. Together, they had two children, Ellie Marie (Barrett) Brotherton and Ellwood Talmage Barrett II, “Woody.” Ellwood graduated in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science in Geology from the University of Texas at Austin. Ellwood then immediately went into the United States Army, as a Second Lieutenant. The positions he held include engineer intelligence officer, chief engineer controller, assistant G1 Plans and Operations, and chief of personnel management division. He was a graduate of the Command and General Staff School and received his first Meritorious Service Medal. After serving in the active Army for two years, Ellwood received his discharge in 1956, achieving the rank of First Lieutenant. He was then employed as a Reservoir Geologist for Texas Gas Transmission Company in Houston, and became a member of the active Army Reserve, assigned to the 75th Maneuver Area Command. For thirty-five years, Ellwood continued to serve in the Army Reserve with various assignments from California to the Pentagon. He retired a Full Colonel of Corps of Engineers, receiving his second Meritorious Service Medal, in September 1990. In summer 1964, he and his wife Marie, along with their daughter Ellie, and son Woody, made the move back to Madisonville. Ellwood then began his practice as an Independent Petroleum Geologist and rancher. His diligent work ethic led to productive oil and gas exploration in Madison County and other parts of Texas. He later incorporated his business as ETB Oil, Inc. and moved his office onto the Madisonville Square in March 1984. His wife, Marie, passed away May 17, 1997 after forty-four blessed years of marriage. His son, Woody, after having three children recalled that this father, Ellwood, attended nearly every practice and game in all the four sports he played. Woody asked Ellwood one day, “Dad, how did you find time to come to all my sports practices and games?” Ellwood, being a man of few words said, “You make time.” Those few words describe a loving father and family man. Ellwood’s righteous character is deeply Christian based. While living in Houston, he attended St. Timothy’s United Methodist Church. After moving back to Madisonville, he has been a loyal member of the Madisonville First United Methodist Church for fifty-six years, since 1964. He has faithfully served on various committees including the Finance Committee, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and taught Sunday School. Ellwood was a devout Christian, dedicated family man, and earnest friend. Ellwood was an active member and served with integrity on numerous community groups including the Houston Jaycees/Jaycee of the Month, St. Timothy’s United Methodist Church of Houston, Association of Petroleum Geologists, Houston Geological Society, Madisonville First United Methodist Church, Madisonville Chamber of Commerce, Madison County Medical Center Board/Secretary, President of the Madisonville March of Dimes, Madisonville Lions Club, Madisonville FFA/Honorary Member, Oak Ridge Country Club/Past President and First City National Bank/Former Director. Ellwood devotedly served our community and inspired many of us with his steadfast character and generosity throughout the years. He grew up as the oldest son of a father who gave generously to support youth in their quest to become successful businessmen and ranchers. Ellwood carried forth that legacy of supporting our youth through the County Fair in a way that teaches them the fundamentals of running their own business and helps pave the way for their successful futures. The 2014 Madison County Fair was dedicated to Ellwood. Ellwood had a love for agriculture and had been one of the top buyers at the Madison County Fair for many years, benefiting not only the Fair participants, but also the Fair Scholarship Fund. All of the proceeds he received from purchasing animals were donated back to the Fair Scholarship Fund. He believed strongly in education, and in helping determined students achieve their dreams of attending college. Ellwood also contributed funds that are awarded to students annually including the Madisonville FFA Star Chapter Farmer Award and the Ellwood Barrett Madisonville 4-H award. Ellwood Barrett and Charlotte Dean were married on March 29, 2000. They enjoyed sharing times with Ellwood’s five grandchildren, Allison, Trey, and Mitchell Barrett, and Caitlin and Connor Brotherton. Ellwood grew up appreciating the outdoors. As an avid hunter and sportsman, he enjoyed hunting with friends and family on his ranches in Madisonville, Fredericksburg, and Menard, Texas, and throughout the U.S. and Africa. In addition to the Madison County Fair, Ellwood gave generously to the Madisonville High School, North Zulch High School, Normangee High School, and Madisonville First United Methodist Church Scholarship Funds that he established in loving memory of Marie Barrett in 1997. Ellwood Barrett was preceded in death by his parents, William Talmage Barrett and Louise Battiss Barrett; his first wife, Marie Whitley Barrett; and his sister Ariebeth Barrett Bott. He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Dean; his daughter, Ellie Marie (Barrett) Brotherton and her husband, Kent Brotherton; his son, Ellwood Talmage Barrett II “Woody;” and his wife, Shirley D. Barrett; his grandchildren, Allison, Trey, and Mitchell Barrett, and Caitlin and Connor Brotherton; his brother, Melvin Harold “Buddy” Barrett; and his sister, Carolyn Barrett Guedry.