James Richard Barr, Sr, 84, died Wednesday Aug. 5, 2015. A native of Birmingham, he attended Minnie Holman Academy and graduated from Woodlawn High School in 1949. He was a member of Boy Scout Troop 29 where he attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He attended and graduated from the University of Alabama where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1953 and served in the Signal Corp and was honorably discharged in 1955 as a 1st Lieutenant. He spent his entire working career (30 years +) with Bellsouth, retiring in 1991. Mr.  Barr adopted his oldest daughter, Leah Estelle Hortman, who was 1-1/2 years old, when he married Mattie Moore Rountree of Selma in December 1959. He was an exceptionally bright man and demonstrated his extraordinary inner strength by struggling with, and defeating, alcohol and cigarettes, although he never achieved his dream of playing the banjo, despite two years of somewhat painful rehearsal. Although somewhat gruff at first appearance (particularly when answering the phone), he was a wonderful provider and was devoted to his wife and her extended family in Selma and Eufaula.

Mr. Barr was a Birmingham Rotarian, an avid reader, and was known to get excited while watching Alabama football. Later in life he enjoyed traveling with Mattie Moore, his wife of 50 years, visiting 47 of the 48 contiguous states (he was a fierce conservative). He also enjoyed pistol shooting, photography, building and refinishing furniture, yearly trips to the beach with his children and grandchildren, computer technology (particularly Freecell and Solitaire), and smartphones. He was preceded in death by his wife of over 50 years, Mattie Moore Rountree Barr and is survived by his three children: Leah Barr Iglehart (Mike) of Trenton, Michigan, Elizabeth Barr West (Mike) and James Richard Barr Jr. (Suzanne) of Birmingham; five grandchildren; two sisters, and a host of nieces and nephews. Burial will be at the National Cemetery in Montevallo. The family wishes to extend its heartfelt appreciation to Optum Hospice Care and Suites for their gentle and loving support, not only of Mr. Barr but also his family. In lieu of flowers, his children request that donations be made to Wounded Warriors or The American Heart Association.