John William Barrett

John William Barrett was born on June 9, 1917, in Reno, Nevada, the son of Esther (Johns) Barrett and William Patrick Barrett, both native Nevadans. He attended schools in Reno and graduated from the University of Nevada in 1939. A member of what has been called the greatest generation, he served in the U.S. Army Infantry from 1939 to 1946, seeing service from Hawaii to Europe and earning the Silver Star and Bronze Star medals and the Combat Infantry Badge before being discharged as a lieutenant colonel.

After the war he graduated from Hastings College of Law in 1949 and was admitted to the State Bar of Nevada that same year. He maintained a private law practice from 1949 to 1961, and served the State of Nevada as deputy attorney general from 1952 to 1955. On May 1, 1961, he was appointed District Judge, Department 2, of the Second Judicial District Court, a position he held until 1984.

During his many years on the bench, Judge Barrett worked with Judge Thomas Craven to bring the National Judicial College to Reno and made a pioneering decision to allow television cameras in the courtroom. He presided over the case of Priscilla Ford, one of the most infamous defendants to appear before him. Beyond his judicial career, he contributed to his home state and community, including as a coach and commissioner in the Reno Little League program. Judge Barrett died in June 2004.