Obituary of Johnny Roscoe Barr
MARION, Va.: Johnny Roscoe Barr passed away Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at the age of 70, after fighting a noble battle with cancer.
Born on August 1, 1945, in Trenton, New Jersey; he was the son of the late James William Barr and Nina Belle Barr. He attended Marion Senior High School and graduated in 1963, where he was a standout athlete in basketball and football, as well as President of his Senior Class. He then attended Virginia Tech, graduating in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Math and History. After graduation, Johnny proudly served the United States Army in Korea from October 10, 1967 until his honorable discharge on May 15, 1969. Once he returned home, he began his 43 year construction career at H.S. Williams Company in Marion, Va. An accomplished and faithful employee, Johnny served in several capacities throughout his career, eventually achieving part ownership of the company in 1998. Johnny retired in 2014. Johnny did not confine his career to simply the metal building structures that the company was responsible for constructing; he built relationships with those he worked with that lasted a lifetime. Johnny was admired and respected within the community that he called home. As a true leader, he served and contributed to many civic and charitable organizations. Johnny was a long time member of Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Marion, where he served on the Church Council and leader of the Youth Group. Serving as a Rotarian in the Lunch Time Rotary Club for several years, he was one of the charter members instrumental in founding the Marion Morning Rotary Club. Fellow Rotarians voted him President of both clubs, and later honored him with the Paul Harris Fellowship Award. Johnny was also very proud of the life he shared in his continuous efforts of donating blood and encouraged everyone to do so. Those closest to Johnny will remember his genuine concern for others, kind heart, sense of humor, pursuit of excellence, professional dedication, courageous spirit and the grace with which he left this life. His unique and powerful spirit will always be our mainstay and inspiration.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a niece, Savannah Lynn Barr.
Johnny is survived by his wife, Margaret Cregger Barr of Marion, Va.; two children, Candace Barr Mizer (David) and their children Tyler & William of Nokomis, Fla.; Cheryl Ann Cathcart (Charlie), and their children Trey & Cole of Lexington, Va.; step-daughter, Monnie Fannin Richardson (Jay), and their children Ethan & Jacob of Sugar Grove, Va.; two brothers, Danny Michael Barr (Donna), Spartanburg, S.C.; Jerry William Barr (Pat) of Marion, Va.; two nieces, Audra Edge, and her children, Kayla and Kyle of Spartanburg, S.C. and Jerrie Barr McCormick (Randy) and their children, Reese and Brooklyn of Kernersville, N.C.; two nephews; William Chad Barr (Christy) and their children, Alex, Alley and Connor of Marion, Va.; Christopher Michael Barr (Cynthia) and their child, Cameron of Harpers Ferry, W.Va.; a very special uncle John Williams (Jean) of Elgin, S.C.; and many wonderful friends.
A special thank you for the loving care that he received through the Hospice of Southwest Virginia.
Funeral services will be held Friday, April 22, 2016 at 8 p.m. at Ebenezer Lutheran Church with Pastor Andrew Bansemer and Pastor James Bangle officiating. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 5p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in loving memory of Johnny to either the Leo Ferrell Golf Scholarship, C/O Scott Ferrell, 25 Lawson Way, Greenville S.C. 29605 or the Mike Smythe Golf Scholarship, c/o Susan Sneed, 173 Gaston Lane, Marion Va. 24354.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.seaverbrown.com. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory is honored to serve the Barr Family.
