Douglas Hamilton Barr

Douglas Hamilton Barr entered his eternal rest on February 13th, and after a long illness, died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 83. He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Lee Mink-Barr; his daughter-in-law Kate Huband, son Jason Mink (Ashley); daughter Marne Wood (John Halsey); and grandchildren Gabriel and Bella Barr; Juliana, Phoebe and Thomas Mink; Halsey, Virginia, McIver and Slade Wood. Douglas also is survived by niece Linda McIver (Pascal Verschooris) Mario and Georgi; and his foster son, Michael Lawson.

Doug was the consummate crusader for the underdog, working as a social worker, on boards of education, then as the CEO of nonprofits for 38 years. Doug first led the helm at the Children’s Aid Society in Toronto where his love for the downtrodden was honed. Next was CEO for the Canadian Cancer Society, where Doug turned his focus to spearheading the ban against smoking on airplanes. He then served as CEO of Goodwill Southern California for 17 years, taking the organization from a budget of $22 million to over $141 million and making a difference in the lives of thousands of people.

Doug loved his family cottage in Ontario, Canada where he taught his kids and then grandchildren how to paddle a canoe and water ski. He also loved traveling, mainly to the Yorkshire Dales and to France. These trips were spent soaking up local culture, art galleries, symphonies, and theatre. From an early age, Doug’s faith played a leading role in his life. Doug was a member of many churches from being a choir boy at St. Clemens Anglican church in Toronto, to later years when he and his wife, Lee, were members at the Church of Our Savior in San Gabriel, California; Holy Comforter in Charlotte, NC and, finally, Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, AL. He always loved the church and loved his Savior.

After retirement, he served Anglican priests as an executive coach. Doug was an avid reader and started a men’s reading group called the Pink Panthers after his love of pink shirts and ties. We all remember his intelligent sense of humor, his love of music and culture, and especially his love for the people in his life. With faith in Christ, we know that death has no sting and we will see Doug again.

Donations in Doug’s honor may be made to the Doug Barr Memorial Fund for Education & Job Training at Goodwill Southern California https://give.goodwillsocal.org/ or to Jesus Online Ministries (https://jesusonlineministries.org/donate/)