About
Benny Barr Obituary
Benny was born on October 12, 1941, to Willis E. and Alma Leonora (Riggs) Barr. The family lived in Oklahoma before moving to Oakdale while Benny was still in elementary school. He attended University High School, graduating in 1958. He participated in football and track.
Benny briefly attended the University of Iowa, studying architecture. He met and married Carolyn Ann Slaymaker. To this union was born four children. Benny belonged to the Millwrights Local 2158. He loved animals, gardening, college basketball and football, and reminiscing with friends. Benny will also be remembered for his Elvis-like dancing skills.
Survivors include his wife, Laura Barr of Stanwood; children, Christine Carroll (Don) of Hubbard, Iowa, Scott (Cheri), of Iowa City, Lonny of Iowa City, and Danielle Jones (Tony Curtis) of Williamsburg, Iowa; sister, Jonna (Lloyd) Lininger of Cedar Rapids; ten grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and infant sibling, Jolea Kay.
Memorials may be directed to the Cedar Valley Pit Bull Rescue.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Benny, please visit our floral store.
2 Entries
Mike Smith
July 4, 2024
I will always remember cousin Benny even though we saw almost nothing of each other after we were kids. His devilish smile, his ability to take you down with his flying scissors, and his willingness to try just about anything. The times we shared at Mom & Pop Rigg's house and going down the laundry chute there. The times we spent together in the woods north of the Pioneer Woman smoking dogwood. The times we spent trying to figure out how to impress our cousin Mary Etheline who we both thought was the most beautiful girl ever created. We never did impress her by the way. I can only say that Benny was a great guy as a kid and that our occasional phone conversations subsequent to that never led me to believe otherwise. He was my cousin and I do miss knowing that he is no longer here to take care of his corner of the world. RIP Benny!
Mike Smith
Oroville, CA
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Mike Smith
July 18, 2022
Well Bennie, we did not see much of each other in our adult lives, but we had a lot of fun together as kids. I will always remember your "crafty" smile among other things. Cousin Mike
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