Thomas D. Hunter Barnett, Sussex attorney
Thomas Barnett peacefully answered the Lord's call Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, surrounded by his loving family at his home in Georgetown.
Thomas was born in Ironton, Ohio, Sept. 12, 1940, to Pauline Rose (Nippert), and James Hunter Barnett. His father worked for the C&O Railroad and the family moved several times as he was transferred for work.
Tom's formative years were spent in: Raceland, Ky., where he spent his summers with his maternal grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousin; Cleveland, Ohio; and finally Highland Springs, Va., where he attended Highland Springs High School before entering the Marine Corps.
He entered the Marine Corps at the age of 17 in 1958, and served honorably until 1962. While in the Marine Corps he was a member of the 2nd Division "The Big Red 2." He served in the military police, and on the boxing team 1959-61 in Rota, Spain; as company clerk at Camp Lejeune, N.C., 1961-62; and training company, Quantico, Va., 1962. He graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1967. After earning his journalism degree he worked as a reporter and editorial writer for three major newspapers in Virginia and New York.
He went on to earn his Juris Doctorate Degree in 1976 from the University of Richmond's T.C. Williams School of Law. While in law school he was co-founder and editor of Juris Publici, the law school newspaper; served as a research assistant on the book Scientific Evidence in Criminal Cases by Professor Andre A. Moenssens; served as an officer and received the Delta Theta Phi Scholarship Award, the University of Richmond Law School Leadership and Excellence Award, and was listed in Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.
He was admitted to the Virginia State Bar Association in 1976 and was a partner in the firm Pearce, Barnett, Burcin, & Miller in Richmond. In 1979 Tom and his family moved to Delaware. He was then admitted to the Delaware State Bar Association in 1979 and began working at the law firm of Brown, Shiels & Chasanov. In 1983, Tom began working as a public defender handling criminal trials for the State of Delaware, in all Delaware courts, while maintaining a private office for civil cases in all Delaware courts. In the 80's Tom made a bid for a state senatorial seat.
In 2000, he retired from the State of Delaware and was in private practice until joining Atlantic Law Group as the attorney of record for Delaware where he finished his stellar career in August 2017, retiring from the firm.
He was a member of the Delaware State Bar Association, Delaware Trial Lawyers Association, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, a graduate of the National Criminal Defense College, a member of the Georgetown Historical Society, National Rifle Association, Master Mason at Franklin Lodge, and Harbeson United Methodist Church.
When not at work, Tom could be found enjoying one of his many hobbies which included writing short stories and songs, playing golf at Sussex Pines, boating on the Delaware Bay on his boat "Legal Passion," painting at home, hunting and shooting sport clays with his son and grandsons. He also loved watching his grandchildren's various sporting events and activities, and was very active in all of their lives.
In 1967, Tom met the love of his life, Cornelia 'Kay' Culver, with whom he has shared a beautiful life of 50 years. In addition to his wife Kay, he is survived by his children, Nichole Paulan Barnett-Baker and Bryan Hunter Barnett; their spouses respectively, Steven Baker and Kelly Barnett; his grandchildren, Thomas Louis Catalfamo and his wife Gabriella, Vincent Cole Catalfamo, Matthew Culver Catalfamo, Kayrose Elizabeth Catalfamo, Holt Steven Baker, Cale Richard Lee Baker, Lilly Ann Stephanie McDonough Barnett, Summer Caroline Cannon Barnett; his sisters, Nancy O'Bryan; and Susan Barnett Zban, and their families; brother-in-law, Thomas Groton and wife Jane; niece Jill Higginbotham, husband, Rob, and their children, Julian, Ashton and Piper; sister-in-law, Kelley Abate; niece, Dairia Abate; cousins, Becky Shown and her children, David Tanner, wife Caelon and son Nathan; Harold Tanner and wife Tammy.
Memorial services for this extraordinary man will be held Saturday, Jan. 20, Harbeson United Methodist Church, 18647 Harbeson Road, Harbeson, at 11 a.m. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be sent to Home of the Brave, 6632 Sharps Road, Milford, DE 19963.
Arrangements in the care of Short Funeral Services, Georgetown.
