Barrett Ryan Palsa, a great man, one many cannot begin to live up to. Barrett was wrapped in the arms of Jesus late Saturday night, September 27th, 2025; to go do something beyond the good that he could do here on Earth. He was born on January 5th, 1975 and graduated high school with the class of 1993, where he made his best friends Todd Miles and Traci Ward. He is preceded in death by his father, George Samuel Palsa; his brother, Brent Matthew Palsa. He is survived by his daughter, Abby Palsa, a love of his life, Michelle Strickland; his stepdaughter’s, whom he considered his own, Haley Campbell (Josh Campbell), Heather Alexander (Bryan Alexander), and Holly Pierce (Timothy Pierce); his grandson, his light, as he called him his “son” (sun), Bryght Barrett Lee Bookout; his grandson, Kaleb Boyle; his granddaughters, Brooke Boyle, Calee Fuller, Saygan Ashcraft, Hadley Fuller, Teagan Pierce, Birkley Alexander; his great-grandson, Maverick Blalock; his nephew, Trenten Palsa; his mother Betty; and loved ones, P.J. Bookout & Zach Reed.
He worked hard, for 30+ years for Bigham Ag, where he was a machinist and a prominent welder. While working here Barrett met some of his best friends, George, James, Bobbi, Mark, LaTonya, Sheila, and many more could be listed. He worked hard and he put his all into everything he did. This includes family, which was a second job, seemingly being he was the glue that held it all together. The thing about Barrett is he never had a complaint. Materialistic things did not make him happy, making others happy made him happy, providing for others made him happy. As well as playing with his grandson, family, fishing, car races and thinking his jokes he’d tell were funny (they were… and honest). He was the sun shining down that could not be turned into night, if ever he were flickering, he’d stand tall, putting a smile on his face, never acting as if he was in pain. Hard Headed, he was. He is and was an exceptional father, a sunbeam of a grandfather, and a better half and friend that was hard to find. An honest man. When he loved, he meant to.
A visitation will be Thursday, October 2, 2025 beginning at 1:00PM until 2:30PM at Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen. Funeral services will follow beginning at 3:00PM at the Carlisle Cemetery Pavilion in Carlisle.
So sorry to hear about Barrett. Sending my deepest condolences to the family and friends. Great picture of Barrett. I know he will be missed. Take comfort in knowing he is in the arms of the Lord now. Prayers for the family. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Barrett you’re not only a brother but a best friend wrapped up into one. As the Nay Nay would say,”Uncle Bear. I know without a doubt you’re flying with THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SET OF WINGS 🪽 ✨️ I’VE EVER SEEN. Do whatever you want and WE WILL HAVE MEMORIES CARRY IN OUR HEART ❤️ AND SOUL. TRACEY WARD WILL ALWAYS BE A LONG FOR THE RIDE….MEMORIES. 💔
PRAYERS FOR MICHELLE, ABBY AND MRS. BETTY…MY HEART ❤️ GOES OUT 🙏 TO YOU ALL.
Rachel
I was fortunate that Barrett was at Bigham the entire time that I was responsible for the business. Barrett turned up every single day with a smile and good nature, a positive attitude, and an inner drive and motivation to do everything to the best of his abilities every single time. Much of the business was new to me and I could always rely on Barrett to give me guiding words (or well-intentioned witty reprimands!) and especially during the hardest months I absolutely counted on him as a dependable core of the business throughout that was a joy to have in our beat-up old building.
There were days I would notice that he would quietly struggle with back pain, never complaining, blaming, and barely slowing his stride. He just kept going, and kept smiling.
Barrett was an incredible human, dedicated, skilled, diligent, kind to a stranger like me, trustworthy, and so often just plain funny!
My deepest condolences to Barrett’s family and friends, I only knew Barrett for a few years and so can only imagine the hole he has left in his community.
Sam
My heart goes out to everyone in the family during this time great sadness. Barrett was a guy who always had a smile on his face and no matter what the situation was he could always make a person feel better. Keeping everyone in my thoughts and prayers.