Barrett Scott Rhyne

Funeral service for Barrett Rhyne, age 23 months, will be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at 2:00 pm at the Alex High School Gymnasium in Alex, OK under the direction of Sevier Funeral Home.

Barrett Scott Rhyne was born May 27, 2020 in Houston, TX and passed away on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at 23 months old after complications from a recent outpatient surgical procedure.

Barrett was loved by many – both near and far. His family will always remember his sloppy (and sometimes aggressive) kisses, his favorite sleeping positions (either the splits or with his feet propped up on the sides of his crib), how much he loved Mickey Mouse – particularly chewing on his tail, and his love for food. He loved Saturday mornings with his dad – they'd eat breakfast and watch Sesame Street during their weekly "bro time." His story was shared on his Facebook page, Barrett's Big Adventure, as a way to keep family and friends updated, but quickly grew to include strangers from the world over. Almost 100,000 people have viewed particular posts on his page and many offered support.

His complex congenital heart defect combined with his Down Syndrome diagnosis made him a particularly challenging medical case. The professionals at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston went above and beyond to ensure he received the highest level of care. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, when family members were only able to "meet" Barrett via technology, the staff at CMHH loved him in their place. After relocating to Oklahoma, the same level of compassion was extended to Barrett and his parents by the staff in the Oklahoma Children's Hospital Emergency Room and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to these healthcare professionals for loving Barrett and treating him like more than a diagnosis.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Beverly and Lula Rhyne and his maternal great-grandmother, Peggy Underwood.

He is survived by his loving parents, Robert and Elizabeth (Beth Anne) Rhyne of the home; maternal grandparents, Jim and Kaci Underwood of Alex, aunt Ellen Fly and husband Zach of Blanchard; aunt Nancy Helmcamp and husband Randy of McAllen, TX; aunt Ruth McLaughlin and husband John of Stanwood, WA; uncle William Nestor and wife Mary of Palestine, TX; cousins Taylor, Carter, Jackson, and Madison Helmcamp; Kaylee Rhyne; Damian and Amara McLaughlin; Parker Ross-Underwood; and Wade, Wyatt, and Bowdie Fly; as well as extended family, his church family at Alex South Main Street church of Christ, and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital's Child Life and Expressive Therapies or the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network.