Wallace O'Barr

March 28,2012

I had the privilege of knowing Wayne for almost 40 years and I worked with him for almost 10 years. He and I went to work at Hall-Mark Electronics the same day. Wayne was a very special person and one of the best salesmen I have ever known. We shared so many laughs I would not know where to start. In the early days at Hall-Mark we would stay after work and I would play the guitar and Wayne would play his harmonica, great times. One of my all time greatest O'Barr...

Wayne was an absolute icon within the electronics distribution industry and I am glad I had the good fortune and pleasure of meeting him back in the Hall-Mark days. When I would travel back to Huntsville in those days to visit family & friends, I would stop by the branch to say hello to everyone and Wayne always made me feel welcome. His contributions to our industry are many as are all the friends he made along the way. He will be missed.

My thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathy...

I only knew Wayne for a relatively short time, but that was more than long enough to know that he was a very special person. Part of the greatest generation that helped shape this great country. A true Southern Gentleman who loved God and Country; respected others and worked hard. A man of honor and Integrity. He will be greatly missed!

Wayne was a man of integrity, a man of his word, and had the guts to tell it like it is. He placed the concerns of others in front of his own. I called him at the hospital a few weeks ago, and rather than talk about his own condition, he asked my how my son, who is having medical issues, was doing. They don't come any better than Wayne O'Barr. Rest in Peace, my friend.

Wayne is the one I will remember most in our industry. His contagious laugh and personality will always stick out to me. We'll all miss him very much and our prayers go out to his family.

Wayne was a great man. I remember him always having an "off-the-wall" saying about everything. He kept us laughing constantly there at Arrow Electronics. His friends loved him, his co-workers loved him, his customers loved him and most importantly, his family loved him. My prayers are with the O'Barr family during this difficult time. We will miss you, Wayne!!!

Wayne and I have been friends for many years.
Wayne was introduced and recommended to me by a good friend Porter Dunnaway who owned R&D Electronics a manufacturing company where Wayne was employed , Porter him self had been in electronic distribution and said to me , as much as I would hate to lose Wayne he's a natural born sales person and would have a better career in distribution so in the early/mid 70's we hired Wayne at Hall-Mark Electronics and we have been friends every since.

We will miss the sound of Marty Robbins playing on his phone as Wayne cries out, Gotta bite." Or hearing the roar of a Harley Davidson at the back door, knowing his infectious laugh would soon be forcing you into a smile. O'Barr was strong, genuine, loud, a heart of gold. I wish you, Jay Bird, and your family happy memories and the assurance of reunion in Heaven.

It is a honor and pleasure to have known Wayne for many years through the electronics industry. He was a great friend with a heart as big as could be! He always had a "how are you" and a smile everytime he saw you. I will forever remember his laugh and the funny phrases he came up with. My prayers are with his family in this time of great loss.