Former Chester resident Frederick E. Barrett, 88, of Great Falls, an educator, farmer, politician and World War II Army veteran, died of natural causes Thursday at Peace Hospice in Great Falls.

A memorial service is 11 a.m. Oct. 20 at Christ United Methodist Church in Great Falls, with burial of ashes in Chester Cemetery at a later date. Rockman Funeral Chapel in Chester is in charge of cremation and arrangements.

Fred was born Nov. 22, 1919, in Missoula to Simeon and Emily Barrett. He graduated from Missoula County High School in 1937, then continued his education at the University of Montana, where he received his bachelor's of arts in teaching in 1941.

He married Ruth E. Plank on Sept. 28, 1941, in Bozeman. Soon after, Fred entered the U.S. Army and served in the European Theater as a company commander in the 83rd Infantry Division during World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1945.

Fred returned to Montana to teach at Cut Bank High School for two years. The Barretts moved to Chester in 1947, where they operated a family farm until 1970. Fred became active in community and political affairs, and was elected to the Montana House of Representatives in 1951. He served five terms in the Legislature for Liberty County; he was the House majority leader in 1957, and worked on the Education and Appropriation committees. From 1971-81 Fred worked as administrator of the State Employment Security Division in Helena.

In 1982, the Barretts retired to their home on the Missouri River south of Cascade. They moved to Great Falls in 2004, to be near their only daughter.

Fred had been active in the VFW, Masons and Elks. He served on boards of the Intermountain Children's Home in Helena, and the Liberty County Museum in Chester. He was a loyal Methodist wherever he lived. He loved to sing in choirs and groups, and played the chromatic harmonica.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth Barrett of Great Falls; his daughter, Carolyn (Bob) Dolderer of Great Falls; two granddaughters, Pam and Stacy; and five great-granddaughters, Brenna, Morgan, Sydney, Kyndra and Avery Jo.

Fred was preceded in death by a son, Monte, in 1963, and his six siblings.