Kenneth John Barr Sr.

Kenneth John Barr, Sr. of Tampa, Florida, died on August 3, 2020, after a brief illness. Kenneth was born August 25, 1926, in Wylam, Alabama. He was preceded in death by his parents, Archie and Mabel Griffith Barr; brothers Archie Jr., Bill, Jimmy, and Jack Barr; and sister Ann Barr Friday. He is survived by his wife, Cora Eugenia “Jeanne” Bonner Barr, whom he married in 1951 in Trussville, Alabama; brother Clifford Barr; children Marsha Barr Reed (John), K. John Barr (Elizabeth), and Darren C. Barr (Paula); grandchildren Meagan Reed Farrow (Curtis), Bonner Reed (Emily), Hannah Barr, Lauren Barr, and Daniel Barr; and great-grandchildren Charlie and John Farrow.

A private graveside service will be held at a future date at Sarasota Memorial Park.

Kenneth graduated from Auburn University in 1947 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. His career at Amoco Corporation lasted from 1948 through 1986. He worked as a petroleum engineer in Hobbs, New Mexico; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Fort Worth, Texas. He served in management positions in Calgary, Alberta; New Orleans; Chicago; Los Angeles; & Denver, retiring in 1986 as President of Amoco Minerals Company. He then served variously as President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Cyprus Minerals Company during his time with the company. Kenneth retired in 1991 and moved first to Longboat Key, Florida, and then to Tampa in 2013.

Kenneth was honored by numerous awards including membership in the Newcomen Society. He was selected as CEO of the Year by Financial World and was elected to the American Mining Hall of Fame. He was Coal Age Magazine’s Man of the Year and was awarded the AIME Saunders Gold Medal. He received the Auburn University Engineering Achievement Award and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science from Auburn in 1995.

Kenneth enjoyed travel all over the world including hot-air balloon flights in Europe, a photo safari in Africa, hiking in the Rocky Mountains, and driving trips throughout the United States. He loved to snow ski, especially in Snowmass, Colorado. Kenneth was an avid photographer. He enjoyed viewing and editing his videos and photos and sharing them with his family.

Kenneth was enthusiastic about many things and achieved much success, but his greatest love and pride was his family. He was happiest when everyone was together. He is much loved and will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. A Memorial Fundraiser for Kenneth Barr Sr. is at this website:

https://secure3.convio.net/mdacc/site/TR/?px=1403979&pg=personal&fr_id=1323;

Or a direct contribution to: The Kenneth J. Barr and Cora Bonner (Jeanne) Barr Foundation, 16416 Windsor Park Drive, Lutz, FL 33549.