Bob Barr

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Robert “Bob” Dean Barr was born October 28, 1955, in Modesto, Illinois. He was the son of Robert L. Barr from St. Louis, Missouri and Kay R. Barr from Fellows, California. Bob graduated from Rochester High School in 1973. He attended Illinois Christian College, then traveled three years as bass guitar player for the Waters Family gospel group.

Bob attended Midwest Christian College in Oklahoma City and went on to work for Philips Petroleum in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. He obtained his BA in psychology from Langston University in 1993. 

Eager to learn new skills, Bob earned his paralegal degree in 2014 and held a variety of jobs from ice cream delivery to car sales to substitute teaching. He was also employed for several years as support personnel for tax software advisors.

Bob was always involved in music ministry at their home churches and enjoyed playing the guitar and singing. He especially enjoyed when his children joined him with their instruments and voices. Bob was always up for a trip, and his escapades with his family became known as “Dad Adventures.”

Bob and Kathryn married August 7, 1989, in Bartlesville. In 2002, the family moved to Joplin, Missouri where they finished raising their children, celebrated graduations and weddings, and welcomed grandchildren. Together they raised Scott Parker, Amy Barr Rust, Jennifer Williams, and Laura, Luke, and Lee Barr.

Bob is survived by his parents Robert and Kay Barr; sister Linda Sutton and her children Kimberly and Courtney Leemon and Sam Bridge; wife Kathryn Barr and their children and grandchildren: Brien Rust and Brennan Miller, Tysen and Eli Williams, Levi and Luke Wilson, and Malachi Barr. Bob’s desire was that his family and friends would know Christ as their Savior and share in the joy of eternity with Him.

A family held memorial service is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Villa Heights Christian Church at 2650 E 7th St., Joplin, MO 64801.