GEORGE E BARKET's Obituary
George E. Barket was born in Jacksonville, Florida in 1925. He was the youngest of Issa and Fozi’s four
children. During the Great Depression, the family moved to Miami. His father opened a small grocery
store in the Overtown section of Miami, where he and his family worked 7 days a week. He attended
Ada Merritt and graduated from Miami Senior High School. He was a proud Stingaree. Upon graduation,
he was drafted into WWII and served 33 months in the United States Navy. At 19 years old, he was the
youngest sailor on the U.S.S. Hazelwood in the Pacific. The ship was a Fletcher Class Destroyer, DD531
and he was nicknamed the “Hazelwood Kid.” During his service in WWII, he was involved in seven major
battles in the Pacific including the Bombing of Okinawa, the liberation of the Philippine Islands, and the
Battle of Leyte Gulf (the largest Naval battle of WWII). His ship was credited for depth charging a
Japanese submarine, shooting down several Zero’s and sinking a ship transporting arms to the Japanese.
After WWII, he returned to Miami and owned a grocery store on 1st Avenue and 14th Street, working
15-hour days, 7 days a week when he was told about a program at the University of Miami for veterans
who did not have a chance to go to college. On his own initiative, he drove to UM to inquire about the
program when he coincidentally met the Dean of the Law School. The Dean of the Law School heard his
story and admitted him to the School of Law without an undergraduate degree. Upon completion of Law
School and passing the Bar Exam, he led the charge and sued the Florida Bar for admission with other
similarly situated students that did not have undergraduate degrees and were denied admission.
Eventually, the Florida Bar conceded, and he gained admission. He often joked about being a “one horse
country lawyer” but in fact was a well-respected probate lawyer who was appointed by judges on over
1,200 probate cases. Being raised poor and going through the Great Depression, he never turned away a
client. He always said he became an attorney to help the poor and represent the indigent. He learned
early on that hard work paid off. His work ethic was unparalleled. When not practicing law, he would
buy and manage real estate with his brother, Kelly. The one thing that took precedent over his work was
his family and his faith. He was an active member of St. Kieran Catholic Church in Coconut Grove. For
George, his “immediate family” included his wife, children, parents, brother and sisters, his uncles and
aunt and many cousins. Family always came first. He loved each and every one of them. He was never
afraid to get his hands dirty responding to the family’s needs. He is survived by his loving wife Dr. Idalia
Lastra Barket, his four children, Charles (Patricia), Jill Tombley (John), Timothy (Vivien) and Michael, and
nine beautiful grandchildren. George is gone but will never be forgotten. His amazing work and legacy
will live on through his children and grandchildren and all who knew him. In lieu of flowers, the Barket
family kindly request donations be made to the St. Kiernan Church Building Fund.
St. Kieran's Donation page: https://www.stkierancatholicchurch.org/donation/
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