Paul Barr

(From Crawford Family Funeral and Cremation Service)

Paul Alan Barr of Edmond, Oklahoma passed away peacefully on Friday, November 15, 2024 at his home surrounded by his loving family. 

Paul was born on March 8, 1954 in Marshall, Missouri. Paul was the son of the late Clarence J. Barr and Marie Elizabeth Wittman Barr. Paul attended St. Peter Grade School in Marshall, Missouri to then graduate from Marshall High School in 1972. 

After high school, Paul continued to further his education at Rockhurst College in Kansas City, Missouri to receive his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1976 and his Master of Business Administration in 1984. On September 1, 1984 at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Kansas City, Missouri, he married his sweetheart, Maria Elizabeth Ebel, who survives of the home. 

While in Kansas City, Paul worked as a Certified Public Accountant for the Kansas City School District and the Federal Reserve Bank. Throughout his years in Kansas City Paul also devoted his heart and time to community service, where he greatly enjoyed volunteering for Big Brothers Big Sisters, student tutoring, and serving on the board of Chamber of Commerce. 

Paul moved to Joplin in 1994, where he was the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Joplin Public School District. For over two decades and with consistent commitment to the school district, Paul steered Joplin through funding challenges, including the rebuilding of Joplin High School after the destructive tornado of 2011. 

In the wake of dealing with all the devastation to the school district and the community, Paul continued to guide and maintain an S&P Rating of A+ for the Joplin Public School District. After 2011, Paul developed a plan to self-fund operations for a grant to build an early childhood center. In 2014 Paul was awarded the Southwest Missouri School Business Official of the Year. 

In addition to his job as CFO, Paul served on the Board of Education as Treasurer and was a member of the Tax Increment Finance Commission. Paul retired from the Joplin Public School District in June 2017. 

Paul moved to Edmond, Oklahoma soon after retirement to enjoy time with and pour love into his family. While in Edmond, Paul continued to serve the community, be a voice for the unborn, and proudly defend and support patriotic causes that would keep the hopes, dreams, & safety of children alive & well in the greatest country of the world.

In the midst of his adult life accomplishments and acts of service, Paul was also loyal to his seven four-legged companions. If you knew Paul, you knew he had one of his dogs right by his side. The bond Paul had with all of his dogs was simply heartwarming. Paul was a Pet Partners Therapy Team member for Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Missouri prior to the tornado of 2011 with his surviving standard poodle, Celine. His love for all dogs was as passionate as it was for all humans.

Paul is survived by his wife of 40 years, Maria, daughter Brooke Armstrong (Tyler) of Edmond, OK, twin grandsons (Breck and Tate), his three sisters Carol Wolfe, Cathy Lynch (Dennis), Lisa McSparin (Brett), one brother Mark Barr (Tina), and sister-in-law Renee Barr. Paul also has numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews that he loved with all his heart. In addition to his parents, Paul was preceded in death by one brother, Bob Barr, two brother-in-laws, Chuck Lynch and Ted Wolfe, and one great nephew, Evan Lynch.

Although Paul's physical presence and his contagious smile may no longer grace our lives, his spirit will continue to inspire and uplift us. May his memory be a blessing and may we carry forth his legacy of love, compassion, and humbleness in all that we do. As Paul would say as he waved goodbye or wrapped up his text message - Vaya Con Dios.

Visitation will be on Thursday, November 21st at Crawford Family Funeral Home in Edmond, OK from 5:30pm - 8:00 pm (prayer vigil to begin at 5:30pm).

Funeral service will be on Friday, November 22nd at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edmond, OK at 11:00am with burial to follow at Gracelawn Cemetery in Edmond, OK. The service will also be live-streamed https://www.youtube.com/@StJohnEdmond/featured

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton Catholic School in Edmond, Oklahoma or Tunnel to Towers Foundation.