James Thomas "Buddy" Barr went to be with The Lord on Wednesday January 7, 2015. He died peacefully at Florida Hospital North in Altamonte Springs, Florida. He was surrounded with love and prayer from his close, lifelong friends, his brothers, and his four sons, their families and extended families and friends. He also made very quick friends, as he always did, with his Doctors and Nurses, who honored him by showing him, his family, and friends a love and compassion rarely experienced.
Buddy was born on August 28, 1936 in Bristol, TN. He served overseas in Korea, while in the Army and was a graduate of the University of Tennessee. He was an avid reader and was passionate about UT Sports, fishing, and sharing laughs and countless memories with family and friends. He was a rock and could always be depended upon to lend an ear or to find humor in any situation. He will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved him. Memorial Donations may be made to Heavenly Bags Food Ministry ICO Hillsdale United Methodist Church, 5018 US HWY 158 in Advance, NC 27006. They may also be made to Crossings Community Church Men's Ministry at 514 Walden View drive, Sanford, Fl 32771 or to FARM (Feed all Regardless of Means) Café at 617 West King Street, Boone, NC 28607, www.farmcafe.org .
He is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Gene Barr. He is survived by Gene's wife Phyllis Barr, of Louisville, KY, his brother Don Barr, of Phoenix, AZ, and his brother and sister-in-law Jere and Nancy Barr, of Atlanta, Ga. Buddy was also survived by his sons, Bryan and wife Laura, of Lake Mary, Fl, Todd and wife Lori, of Advance, NC, Greg and wife Cindy, of Boone, NC, and Mike, of Altamonte Springs, FL. In addition, he is survived by his 3 wonderful grandchildren, which he loved dearly and was so proud of, Tristan, Emma, and Evan. All know how blessed they were to have him in their lives and realize what a special gift Buddy has been.
It would not be fitting to write about Buddy's life, or his passions, without mentioning his closest friend, Ray Henry. It is so rare to find two friends that know each other for over 60 years, spend as much time together, and yet maintain the respect and true friendship that these two have shared. They both love fishing, but it was UT Sports that bonded them together. If UT was playing, they were watching, and if UT wasn't playing, they were known to put a recording on.
Buddy will be so fondly remembered for so many reasons, but most of all, he will be remembered for just being the man that he was and how he made you feel when you were with him. He had a gift that made you feel like he didn't care to be anywhere else.