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James Barr Obituary

James Louis Barr James Barr of Austin, Texas died Saturday, December 29, 2012 while visiting family in his home state of South Carolina. James was born in Norway, South Carolina on October 9, 1931 to Elec Alexander Barr & Catherine Elizabeth Robinson. James joined the Army at the age of 14 during the end of World War II. Upon serving his stint in the Army, James enlisted in the Air Force and proudly served during the Korean War. While stationed in Texas he met and married the love of his life, Ruth Eckman Barr. They were married for 54 years. James is credited with being a pioneer in bringing Bluegrass Music to Texas. He formed the band, Jim & Leon, which later became the Texas Bluegrass Boys. After his daughter Sherri joined the band, the band became known as Grassfire. Jim's cross-picking mandolin style and vocal harmonies were in high demand. Jim released three critically acclaimed albums, The Texas Bluegrass Boys, Bluegrass to Walk On and Family Reunion as well as participating in the Austin compilation album, Texas Reunion. James is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ruth Barr; his parents, Elec and Catherine Barr; his brothers, Howard LeGrand Barr & David Edward Barr; and half-brother Richard Wayne Barr and nephew Duane Edward Barr. James is survived by his children; son David Wayne Barr & wife Linda of Round Rock, daughter Denise Pittard & husband David of Cedar Park, daughter Dianne Holt & husband Burns of Georgetown, and daughter Sherri Barr Walker & husband Barry of Pflugerville; grandchildren Dennis Pittard, Zachary Zezulka, Nicholas Barr, Lisa Pittard, Melody Barr-Gifford, Cassandra Davis and Stetson Walker; great grandchildren Emma Pittard, Chase Birdsong, Nicholas, Jr. & Kadence Barr, Peyton Gifford, Abbi Smith, and Danielle & Brooke Davis. Sister-in-law June Eckman Mansfield and husband Lonnie of Bedford; Sister-in-law Joy Barr of Orangeburg, SC., nephew Mitch Mansfield of Nevada, Teri Mansfield of Bedford, Debonie Barr Funchess of Rowesville, S.C. and Chrystel Barr Rogers of Orangeburg, S.C., and many beloved family members friends. Pallbearers are Lonnie Mansfield, Mitch Mansfield, Barry Walker, Stetson Walker, Dennis Pittard, Nicholas Barr & Zach Zezulka. Visitation will be held at Beck Funeral Home on RM 620 in Round Rock on Thursday, January 3, 2013 from 5 -7 p.m. Funeral service will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1500 W. Anderson Lane, Austin on Friday, January 4, 2013 at 10 a.m. Burial to follow at Austin Memorial Cemetery on Hancock Drive, Austin. A reception will follow at Redeemer Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church.



Published by Austin American-Statesman on Jan. 2, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
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Dear Sherri and family, please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. We always had high regard for Jim, he was such a fine man and a great musician! We were all blessed to have known Jim and Ruth! May you all be comforted by good memories and the confidence that they are now together again in their Heavenly home.

Don Eaves

January 4, 2013

I can remember as a little girl, Jim and Ruth coming to our house for dinner. I always enjoyed seeing Jim & Ruth. Prayers for the whole Barr family.

Karen Storm Newton

January 2, 2013

Bluegrass music, Grassfire, music festivals, gathering for weekly practice, laughter and good times will always be linked to your dad and mom.
How blessed Leonard and I are that you, your dad and your mom were a big part of our lives.
I can't help but wonder if your mom was waiting, with camera in hand, saying "You finally came home."
Love & prayers always.
Kathy & Leonard

Kathy Kasza

January 2, 2013

Denise, Apparently I no longer know how to contact you, , but I wanted to let you know I'm terribly sorry to hear this news. You are in my thoughts. Richard's father died last night, so we are going through much the same. Take Care, Judy P

January 2, 2013

David, Denise, Dianne, Sherry,
I know your Dad will be greatly missed by you, as well as all that were fortunate enough to know him throughout his life. As a young child growing-up with a parent who enjoyed listening to and performing in a Bluegrass music band, I was able to develop friendships with other people like yourselves, who were outside the Lockhart/Caldwell County paradigm I called home. Many Saturday evenings and nights were spent visiting the various Band member's homes in what Dad called practice sessions. In reality, these practice sessions were much more along the line of some very close friend's gathering socially. There was always something good to eat, lots of conversation, all of the kid's playing together or getting into something, and yes, there was a lot of good Bluegrass music, “Practicing”.
Later in my life, I really came to appreciate a couple of those “practice sessions” when your family was living on Clay Ave.. On one or two of those visits, I was unknowingly introduced to a little girl that lived on Jeff Davis Street who at the time introduced herself to me by throwing rocks at me.
Years later in a trip to Austin to go dancing at the Broken Spoke, I met the love of my life and soon after married her. After we had been married a few years, we got to talking about some of our childhood experiences. In one of these conversation, an experience came up related to these two little girls riding their bicycles in a church parking lot on Clay Ave. who had thrown rocks at a couple of boys. One of those little girls today is my forever partner & wife, Sandy.

God Bless you and your families as you go through the on coming days. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Paul & Sandy Franks

Paul Franks

January 2, 2013

Lost a long time friend.He'll be missed so much.Prayers for the family.Love to all.Leon & Geraldine

January 2, 2013

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