Hoyle R. Barr, 91, of Paris died Friday, Jan. 2, 2009 at Paris Regional Medical Center.
Memorial graveside services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, in Evergreen Cemetery with Father Tim Cherry officiating. Services are under the direction of Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home.
He was born Dec. 7, 1917, in Paris to a family with a long history in Lamar County. He was the son of prominent Paris business owners C. Hoyle and Faith O. Barr. He grew up here and left to join the Marine Corps in 1940.
In the Marines, he served as an officer and aviator, flying dive-bombers, jets and finally helicopters, until his retirement in 1962. He fought in both World War II (Midway, Guadalcanal, Luzon and Mindanao most notably) and the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and received two Distinguished Flying Crosses, a Bronze Star and 12 air medals. His portrait also appeared in Life magazine’s special Midway edition, and was on display at Barr’s Coffee Shop in Paris for years. He had several overseas postings, primarily in the Pacific theater, as well as a stint with Marine Headquarters at the Pentagon. After retiring from the Marine Corps, he first worked as an engineer specialist for LTV in the Dallas area.
He then decided to immerse himself in what he loved most besides his wife, Maidie, and flying: words and ideas. He first received a BA in journalism from the University of Texas at Arlington, and then went on to graduate work at TCU and East Texas State. A jaunty and engaging storyteller, he self-published two books of poetry and yarns (mostly humorous) about his growing years in Paris and his war experiences. His unique way of looking at the world, his sense of humor and a singular way with words won him friends, delighted listeners and periodically led him into mischief all his life. These qualities also created an enduring legacy for his family, bequeathing both talents and vivid memories.
By the time he returned to Paris in 1973, he had begun studying jewelry craft through technical schools and seminars. In 1972, he became a teacher at VOTEC, and then director of the jewelry school at Paris Junior College. He also became a lay reader with Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Paris. He retired again in 1987 and later was elected to the Paris Junior College Hall of Fame, where his portrait resides near that of his wife, also a Hall of Fame winner.
In 2008 his storytelling was again put to good use when representatives of the Library of Congress interviewed him for more than half a day regarding his war experiences.
He is survived (and missed!) by his beloved wife of 65 years, Maidie Sackett Barr; three daughters, Bette Barr, Anne Drake and Kathleen Bryant; grandson, Cory; two granddaughters, Julia and Natalie; and two great-grandchildren.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Paris Junior College scholarship fund.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.fry-gibbs.com.
Memorial graveside services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, in Evergreen Cemetery with Father Tim Cherry officiating. Services are under the direction of Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home.
He was born Dec. 7, 1917, in Paris to a family with a long history in Lamar County. He was the son of prominent Paris business owners C. Hoyle and Faith O. Barr. He grew up here and left to join the Marine Corps in 1940.
In the Marines, he served as an officer and aviator, flying dive-bombers, jets and finally helicopters, until his retirement in 1962. He fought in both World War II (Midway, Guadalcanal, Luzon and Mindanao most notably) and the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and received two Distinguished Flying Crosses, a Bronze Star and 12 air medals. His portrait also appeared in Life magazine’s special Midway edition, and was on display at Barr’s Coffee Shop in Paris for years. He had several overseas postings, primarily in the Pacific theater, as well as a stint with Marine Headquarters at the Pentagon. After retiring from the Marine Corps, he first worked as an engineer specialist for LTV in the Dallas area.
He then decided to immerse himself in what he loved most besides his wife, Maidie, and flying: words and ideas. He first received a BA in journalism from the University of Texas at Arlington, and then went on to graduate work at TCU and East Texas State. A jaunty and engaging storyteller, he self-published two books of poetry and yarns (mostly humorous) about his growing years in Paris and his war experiences. His unique way of looking at the world, his sense of humor and a singular way with words won him friends, delighted listeners and periodically led him into mischief all his life. These qualities also created an enduring legacy for his family, bequeathing both talents and vivid memories.
By the time he returned to Paris in 1973, he had begun studying jewelry craft through technical schools and seminars. In 1972, he became a teacher at VOTEC, and then director of the jewelry school at Paris Junior College. He also became a lay reader with Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Paris. He retired again in 1987 and later was elected to the Paris Junior College Hall of Fame, where his portrait resides near that of his wife, also a Hall of Fame winner.
In 2008 his storytelling was again put to good use when representatives of the Library of Congress interviewed him for more than half a day regarding his war experiences.
He is survived (and missed!) by his beloved wife of 65 years, Maidie Sackett Barr; three daughters, Bette Barr, Anne Drake and Kathleen Bryant; grandson, Cory; two granddaughters, Julia and Natalie; and two great-grandchildren.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Paris Junior College scholarship fund.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.fry-gibbs.com.
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