Brendan Barrows

Brendan Gray Barrows went to spend eternity with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, April 5, 2021 at 8:00 p.m. He passed away at the Glenn Arbor Hospice Residence after a two day stay. They took very good care of Brendan during his short stay. Brendan was born on December 4, 1957 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Richard and Joan Barrows. He attended catholic schools in Grand Rapids until his family moved to Battle Creek in 1972. Brendan graduated from Lakeview high School in 1976. Upon graduation he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he was stationed at McClellan Air Force Base in Sacramento and was honorably discharged in 1982. After the Air Force Brendan attended the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, New York. After his attendance at the CIA, Brendan returned to California and worked at several different establishments, including the Regency James Hotel in San Francisco. After several years of working in the hotel industry and eventually returning to Michigan, Brendan accepted the position as Executive Chef for Schuler’s Restaurants in Marshall, Michigan. Brendan spent several enjoyable years with the Schuler organization and always spoke very highly of Win and Hans Schuler. One of the highpoints of his employment at Schuler’s was cooking for Robert Mondavi at a benefit banquet. After a number of years at Schuler’s, Brendan switched careers and went to work at Consumers Power Company at the request of his father who at that time was a supervisor with the company. Brendan started his career at Consumers as a janitor and moved to several different positions, including meter reader and substation mechanic in the electric lines department, the position he held upon his retirement. He proudly served several years as the Union President. Brendan retired from Consumers in March of 2015 after 25 years with the company. Brendan was preceded in death by his mother and father. He is survived by his wife Lynn Beaumont Barrows of Battle Creek, brother Marshall Barrows of Sparks, Nevada, and his former spouse Stephane Barrows of Marshall, along with many friends. Brendan enjoyed reading the scriptures and collecting Bibles. He owned dozens of them and read them all. Brendan always said grace at all our family dinners and usually we had to cut him off (he was longwinded when it came to giving praise to the Lord). He also enjoyed playing golf (although not very well). He enjoyed the fellowship more than the game and was always ready to buy the first round at the 19 ^th hole. Brendan especially loved visiting the Drake Hotel in Chicago. He spent numerous vacations at the Drake as a child and continued that tradition as an adult. He loved Carlos the Head Doorman at the Drake who always greeted Brendan by name for over 40 years. Brendan was a great storyteller with numerous humorous stories of working for Consumers and other life adventures. Brendan did not have a long life, but he had a very interesting and full life and always gave thanks to God for every day. Brendan loved his wife Lynn; he loved his dogs Matty and Dexter and all his friends and will be missed by all who knew him. Brendan will be interred at the Fort Custer National Cemetery in a private ceremony due to Covid restrictions currently in force. Memorial contributions may be given to the Battle Creek V.A. Hospital. Arrangements by the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home and Cremation Services. www.henryfuneralhome.org