Baylor Mourns Passing of Retired Education Professor

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Baylor University is mourning the loss of Elden R. Barrett, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Curriculum and Instruction, who passed away Saturday, Oct. 24, in Waco.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, in the chapel of Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home, 6101 Bosque Blvd. in Waco. Visitation will begin at 1:30 p.m.

For nearly 30 years, Dr. Barrett served faithfully as a faculty member in Baylor’s School of Education, helping prepare generations of future teachers.

“Elden was a good friend, an honest mentor and a valuable, contributing colleague. He was committed to improving public schools and to preparing excellent teachers for the schools, and he kept us focused on that task. I believe I am a better person and educator because of Elden’s friendship, and we are a better School of Education because of his service,” said Larry Browning, Ed.D., chair of the department of curriculum and instruction and The Conwell G. Strickland Professor of Education in Baylor's School of Education.

The West, Texas native earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Abilene Christian University, a master's degree from the University of North Texas and a doctorate from Texas A&M University. In 1982, he joined Baylor’s School of Education as a lecturer.

Prior to joining Baylor, Dr. Barrett served as principal at Lorena High School, Midway Elementary, Midway High School and La Vega Elementary. During his tenure in the School of Education, Dr. Barrett supervised student interns and was instrumental in establishing, the school’s first innovative partnership campus, Hillcrest Professional Development School.

“Elden Barrett was a vital asset to the School of Education and Baylor University. He was well known and well respected throughout the state of Texas, having served in a variety of public school positions before beginning his career at Baylor. He was an authority on assertive discipline and his students referred to him as the ‘Yoda of classroom management’,” said Doug Rogers, Ed.D., associate professor and associate dean for undergraduate programs and student services in Baylor’s School of Education. “Elden’s career at Baylor was defined by his care for students in schools, for the future teachers he was preparing and for his professional calling. He was a consummate educator and colleague.”

Among his survivors are his wife, Shirley Barrett, of Lorena; son, Kevin Barrett and wife, Ly, of Arlington; daughter, Krista Barrett, field education program manager in the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work, of Lorena; grandson, David Barrett; sister, Kay Hines and husband, Danny; and brother, Boyd Barrett and wife, Kathy; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Jo.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in Dr. Barrett’s name.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution, characterized as having “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The University provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 15,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 11 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.