My dad was the most influential role model in my life.  As a child, I watched him conduct his life with confidence, hard work, respect for others and being grateful for his wife and family.  He taught me to be independent and accept responsibility for the choices I made in life.  His ability to smile and make the best of a difficult situation was inspirational.  I’m grateful that I got to call him my dad.  I never questioned whether or not he loved me because he was always there for me even when I did some stupid stuff as a kid. I still feel he is with me every day and will cherish the fond memories I have of him. 

Memories I have of grandpa that always have stood out to me.  One was getting the opportunity to put stone on his fireplace with him. I enjoyed it so much because I was able to spend one on one time with him and got to see his talent with woodworking, the way he designed the different mantle/shelves on the face of the fireplace. Another memory I have is when the smallpox scare happened in the early 2000s he sat down with mom and gave her a list of medicines that we used for livestock that were safe to use in case of an emergency.

One of the funny moments I call a "Don Barr’isms" with my Grandpa is literally every time I saw Grandpa, when Tyler and I were together, he would always ask Tyler, “Now,  You do like girls right?”

Grandpa Don took me on a 2 week vacation to Alaska and British Columbia for my high school graduation.  We did a ton of hiking all around Juneau for a few days. Grandpa thought it was really funny that the hotel he rented was an old brothel.  After Junea we went on a small boat cruise for 4 days all around glacier bay. We got to kayak around floating icebergs, saw killer whales and more hiking. After that we flew into Seattle and we drove up the coast to Whistler. We of course did more hiking and he even suited up to go river rafting (i'm still not sure how i convinced him to do that). While in Canada, every time he paid, he asked every cashier if the price was in US or Canadian. 

Back at the turn of the millennium, we were all on a cruise ship passing through the Panama Canal. Garrett and I would go down to this quaint cigar lounge that had chess, checkers, and cards among other things. He beat me every time. On one occasion Papa made a guest appearance and challenged me to a game of checkers and I'll put this lightly, with no mercy he thrashed me!

Just a memory that stood out to me that reminded me how truly wise Papa was in many ways (not just checkers)! I'll miss his soft-spoken, clever, and sharply humorous personality.

There were many times on Saturday afternoon when we were kids and he had his VW with the open roof. We'd be driving around with the top open and us standing on the seat with our heads out the top. Can you imagine today seeing a VW coming down the road with three kids heads popped up and the wind blowing through their hair? The warm  air, smell of the citrus blossoms and total freedom to enjoy it all. Dad's didn't care so long as we were having fun.  

I was always impressed by his commitment to work and family. It was obvious what and who his priorities where. He was very good to my wife and kids, and loved spending time with them or taking them on an excursion. When I first met him, he took me out to see his wood shop. We spent at least an hour there as he showed me his set up and some of the items he had made. There were a few interests we shared ad that was one of them. One of the gifts he made for us (Leanne) was the baby cradle. It was made with the wood that he brought back from the farm and all the kids came home from the hospital to sleep for a time in it.
He and I did not always see eye to eye, but he was a good man and we could still share good jokes together. I remember when we went up to South Dakota with the family. One day we spent a day shopping and had lunch together in Deadwood. We had a good time trying on different hats and making jokes. He did have a sense of humor.


While I have many memories of Papa, some of the most prominent are of the times that Megan and I would stay over while our parents we out of town.  I remember a man that would put care into every project he touched, I remember a man proud of the family he and Nana created.  

One of my most fond memories is of an evening when I had a chance to chat with both Papa and Nana out front of their home.  I was in my early 20's and softly thinking of Calgary as a beautiful place to go and live. Without any hesitation, he was encouraging of this far fetched idea but did warn me of the bitter cold.  It was that conversation and encouragement that fueled me to want to go see more of the world.  It pushed me to move off to Denver with a beautiful girl and eventually take a yearlong road trip through 15 countries with that beautiful girl I now call my wife. 

I am so grateful for the many years I had with a kind, patient, and loving, world traveling craftsman who I called my Papa

Grandpa, Grandma, and Aunt Leanne surprised me by flying in for my graduation from nursing school on a cold snowy December weekend. Grandpa and I would talk occasionally about my classes, especially pharm and patho, of course. He knew his stuff!

One of my very first memories of Don was at our college graduation – and even before Dale and I were married. Dale’s parents were there from Arizona. Some of my family was there as well and this included my mom’s cousin, Jean, and her husband, Lorne. As we went to introduce everyone to each other, Don said “Lorne! Lorne, it’s you?!” It turned out that Don and Lorne had been best friends in high school many years before. They hadn’t seen each other since then. Lorne lived in Minnesota and Don, of course, lived in Arizona - and they were meeting again after a long time at an Iowa college graduation! It was a wonderful surprise for everyone and they were able to stay in contact following that day. It touched me how happy Don was to see an old friend at that point and I could imagine what he was like when the two of them were on the swimming team together in high school. Don, your warmth and kindness will be missed.

I have a favorite memory of Papa Don from about 7 years ago.  I called Don to see if he was still making things in his work shop.  He said that he was.  So I asked him if he would make a stand or a mount for a bust that I made of clay of a girl I took a photo of when I was visiting Thailand.  Of course, he had to make a joke about "mounting a bust".... you know all know Don.  But he said he would make it.  So I brought my bust.....I know!  to Don to help him figure out how to make the mounting.  He asked to give him a few weeks.

Well, below picture is the outcome of his fancy wood work.  When we met initially, he said that she needs a name.  I said he can surprise me.. anything would be fine.   I have no idea where he got the name "Kaeo".  You probably can't see it on the gold plate, but what it says is, "Kaeo" by Kathryn Barr.

Made me cry when I saw it!  Mostly because  it was one of the sweetest, most endearing things anyone has ever done for me.

And, of course, he wouldn't take any payment.  He just asked that I would tolerate his jokes, which I did.

He will be sorely missed.  

xoxoxoxoxox
Kathryn Barr



My Dad gave his family a gift every day of our life and that is he loved unconditionally.  He was a kind and gentle dad. He was supportive, talented, a jokester, hard working and full of heartfelt hugs. 
He woke up early every morning to make a huge pot of hot oatmeal for everyone.  He would come into the girls room and rock each bed with his knee and say, Rise And Shine My Butterflies!
Being the youngest child I was seated at the right hand side of Dad at the table.  It was a great place to be.  He taught me not to put elbows on the table by gently slipping his hand around mine and jokingly try to pop a knuckle. He continued this my whole life each time he held my hand. 
When I met Paul and announced just 3 months into our dating that we were going to get married, Dad didn't hesitate, he stood up, shook Paul's hand and told him welcome to our family.  Dad took Paul in like a son.  He taught him the art of woodworking. The two spent countless hours at the wood shop making all sorts of  beautiful items.  Paul is forever grateful for the wonderful relationship he had with his father-in-law.  
Dad was always in good spirits and I will alway smile when I think of him.
He was the best dad a girl could ever have and I let him know it!

When I bought my house, it was a major fixer upper and Papa was extremely excited to help me with projects. There were many days that I would come home from work to see his car in my driveway and get anxious to see what he had done for the day. He built out my laundry room, tiled my bathroom, put in a new toilet, painted, and much more. He was always covered in dust and paint and all kinds of messy stuff from head to toe. He always had a pencil behind his ear and his knee pads on to complete the stereotypical contractor look. His favorite 'payment' was that I started stocking soda in my pantry and, of course, fed him anytime he was over. He never left hungry. I know he loved to stay busy and do projects and help out family, but I doubt he ever knew how much he was appreciated. I love looking around my house at the 'Papa things' and remembering him with a smile. He was an amazing grandpa and I'm so blessed to have had him help me start my family home. 

I met Don in the 70s when I started dating his daughter, Karen.  After Karen and I were married we moved back to my home area of Bland, MO.  In the early 80s Don and Joan came to visit us on the farm.  He and I cut several walnut logs from trees on our property.  Don was interested in the logs and went with me to a saw mill to have the logs made into lumber.  He was so excited to watch the process and even got to participate – he was like a kid in a candy store.  He took most of the lumber home with him and used it for woodworking projects.  He turned that lumber into works of art and many beautiful things for us, family, and friends.  He made sewing cabinets, beds, cradles, cutting boards, bowls, etc.  It always made Karen and me happy that he got so much joy from something that came from our family farm.  One very special piece he did for us was a sign for the entrance to our farm – it is still there and frequently used by family and visitors for pictures.
I appreciate and respect the love he had for his large family and happy to have been a part of it.

My favorite memory is when Nana and Papa took me to Wisconsin for a New Years Day packers game in 2005.  We spent NYE 2004 in Sturgeon Bay with family, followed by watching the famous New Years Day Polar Plunge the following morning.  At the game on New Years Day, was my first time actually seeing it snow in person, all while we froze our butts off on the metal bleachers braving out the 0 degree temperatures for the duration of the game.  Papa listened to polka music the ENTIRE time in the rental car while we drive around the state ofWisconsin.  The following day we went to Milwaukee to visit Nana’s sister and brother-in-law.  During the car ride over, Papa took a wrong turn down an undesirable area of Milwaukee.  Luckily we made it out safe and on to our destination!  It was a very fun and memorable trip!  

I grew up in the late 60s and early 70s.  This was during the Viet Nam War and the struggle for Civil Rights. I never doubted where dad stood on civil rights. Dad was very insistent that we treat all people, regardless of race, with respect and as equals.  There was no question about how Dad felt when people used disparaging language about minorities (or women). Dad let his anger show and made such instances teaching moments for us. Dad had absolutely no patience for bigoted people.

But I wasn’t always sure about how dad felt about the Viet Nam War. I never saw him voice outward support for the war but I did hear him express his displeasure with the way the “hippies” disrespected returning soldiers and the tactics they used to protest the war. And I remember him commenting at news reports when the news anchors would give the body counts on the evening news or show soldiers or civilians being wounded or killed on TV as it being a total waste, both with a tinge of sadness and anger.

I was a freshman in college in 72.  One of the last drafts for the Viet Nam war took place in 72. Back then, if you wanted to communicate with someone across the country, you wrote letters or you used the old landline telephone. Long distance calls in those days were quite expensive.  So I didn’t get a chance to call home but once a semester and for maybe 15 minutes. Dad called me a few days before the draft. Since dad hadn’t ever called before and knowing calls were expensive I assumed maybe something serious had happened at home.  Dad said he called to let me know that he was thinking about the draft and wanted to wish me luck. He said he loved me and that if things didn’t work out and I got drafted, he wanted me to know that he would support me if I wanted to go to Canada. I was speechless. If I hadn't before heard him say I love you I certainly did then not just because I heard him say those words but because of the lengths he was willing to go to keep me from going to war.


My dad was my HERO! He always supported me in everything I did. I knew I could call my dad when I needed him and he was always there for me.
Dad was one of the hardest working men I've ever known. He loved our family and especially our mom. He set the best example of what love really is! 
Thank you Dad for being the best father I could ever ask for. I love you and will always feel your love in my heart. 

There are many memories that I have of Papa, but there is one recurring memory that always comes to mind. Whenever my parents would be out of town for something, I would often stay with Nana and Papa. As many know, Papa loved his desserts, especially ice cream! Nana would usually give me some ice cream after dinner, but Papa would always ask if I wanted ice cream after lunch AND dinner and of course my answer was always "Yes!".

Nana would say "Don, we can't give her all this ice cream! Too much sugar is bad for her", so when Nana was out of earshot, Papa would wink at me and say "We'll have some more later, it'll be our secret". As I got older and started eating more food, he'd always ask me "Where do you put all of that food? Do you have a hollow leg? Maybe you'll be like me one day, fat and happy!"

Every time Papa came to my house he would walk in with a huge smile and a hug and say this is a beautiful home. He also told me that I chose a good match for my husband and I always felt like he loved us! 

There are so many beautiful memories with this incredible man I was blessed to have as my Papa. From watching him in the garage with his woodworking, to be the sleepovers are their house, the cookies he would sneak to us grandkids, so many to list. I remember from day one he would always put me on his knee and just love me. One of the last visits with him, he patted his knee and said common sweetheart sit down. I said “Papa, I think I am a little to old and big now to sit on your lap” he didn’t believe me. Hahaha we were all so lucky to have him in our lives. I love you Papa so very much! 

Every time I saw grandpa after my son was born he always told me what a good looking boy he is.  
I'll miss hearing that.  

I met the Barr family the summer of 1965.  It wasn’t until a few years later that I really met Don.  He was a chaperone on one of the church youth group activities and I was lucky enough to be in his car.  I was in the way back of their station-wagon and talking, talking, talking.  Don asked me a couple times to be quiet – apparently I wasn’t.  Then he said to me if I stuck my head out the back window, he’d roll my head up in the window.  Well, I continued to talk, stuck my head out the back window and he rolled the window up – just a little bit, but enough to get my attention.  We laughed then, and it continued to be a life-long joke with him.  Up until a couple weeks before he passed he still teased me by saying he should have rolled that window up when he had the chance.  He always had a great sense of humor and I’ll miss bantering with him!
     The other memory that stands out to me was probably 10-15 years ago.  Don called me and asked if I would go shopping with him – he wanted to get Joan a blouse or sweater or something like that for Christmas.  We went to a couple department stores and weren’t really finding what he was looking for.  As we walked through the mall, he stopped, and pointed to something in one of the store front windows and told me he liked that outfit.  I looked at him and asked if he was kidding (because we know he likes to tease) and he said no, he liked it.  I started laughing and told him it was a maternity shop.  He laughed too and then said, “I always liked that look”.  Needless to say we didn’t get that outfit and had a good laugh!!
     I remember getting prescriptions filled by him for us or the kids and on the bottle there was always a warning and a comment that said for any allergic reactions to call dad.  He taught me the right way to put eye drops in my eyes – forever grateful for that one!!  
     He was a kind and gentle man and loved his family.  I will forever miss his smile, kindness and fun spirit!!

Whenever I would come home on leave I would see Nana and Papa. Papa would always be thrilled to hear about the Marines. He would usually ask if I was going to try to become commissioned as an officer and if I planned to stay in until retirement, then it would devolve to joking around. 

I remember how good Papa was at making beautiful things. He always knew how to take something plain and turn it into something beautiful. When I was young, Papa gave my sister and I a dollhouse that he made. We spent hundreds upon hundreds of hours playing with this dollhouse. I know many of us have a Don Barr original in our house!

Don was a gifted, caring person. He spent his life doing for others. One of his gifts was woodworking. He had installed a shop in his garage complete with machinery and dust collector. He built a desk for our grandson Joe Seefried that was a professional job and numerous other items for various members of the family. I still have a small bedside table that he made when he was in high school. The crown jewels of his woodworking tasks were the bowls that he made in various shapes and sizes. He purchased exotic woods of different colors, laminated them together and then turned them to shape on a lathe. The final product was beautiful.
The one thing I am most grateful for is the care that he gave to our mother. After Dad passed away Don visited Mom every day taking care of her every need. What a comfort it was to her and to us knowing she was well protected.
The Barr brothers grew up attending the church. At first thanks to Grandfather Schultz who started us in Sunday School when we were hardly out of diapers and then as we grew older it became a social interest. After high school the brothers went in different directions; Jerry was still in elementary school, I was off to the Air Force and Don was getting married, attending the School of Pharmacy in St. Louis and producing a family but each of us still remaining close to the church. It was some fifteen years later that the Lord really got our attention and brought each of us to a full understanding of our need of Christ as our Savior. I am looking forward to meeting Don in Heaven when the Lord calls me home.


Dear family Barr.
It was an honor to meet all of you and to have Don under our care for the last 9 months. We will always remember him as a very kind and respectful man who loved God with all his heart. He was a happy person, a lovely husband and a proud dad.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. He will be missed by so many…😢

Narcis & Monica Chira,
Goldwater Assisted Living

Ferdie and I remember the times we spent in Branson, Mo.  and
vacations with you both at Torch Lake in Michigan. 
NAN

OBITUARY

Donald Charles Barr

18 July, 1932 – 4 January, 2022

Phoenix Memorial Park & Mortuary

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