John Charles Barr, age 60, of Carmel, was called to join his loving God in Heaven on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011. Born on Feb. 3, 1951, in Indianapolis, he was the son of James and Mary Ellen (Tindall) Barr.
He graduated from Greenfield High School in 1969 and earned his degree in Biological Oceanography from the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Fla. John worked as the Environmental Laboratory Manager for the City of Indianapolis Department of Public Works and White River Environmental Partnership for over 30 years. Additionally, he worked in Laboratory Information Management Software design and implementation for Telecation.
John was a quietly kind and generous man who enjoyed teaching his sons as he learned from his own father. He enjoyed many activities including remote control boat racing with his sons and brother which culminated in the achievement of becoming three-time International Model Power Boat Association US-1 National Champion and winner of the Excellence of Performance Award in 2002, the IMPBA’s highest award. He also loved supporting his sons at their sporting events and relaxing while watching golf, westerns, and science fiction movies on TV. He was a devoted father and loving husband who loved boating on Lake Michigan and Morse Reservoir and spending time with his family and friends at his vacation home on the Kalamazoo River in Douglas, Mich. John also provided a loving home for his mother-in-law for seventeen years.
Surviving him are his loving wife of 36 years, Marie Ann Anger Barr; adoring sons, Sean and Stephen; daughter-in-law, Jennifer; granddaughter, Clare Marie; brother, Stu; sister-in-law, Kathy; nephews, Chris, Michael, Andrew, and Matthew; and niece, Jenny.
Preceding him in death were his father, James; mother, Mary Ellen; brother, Les; mother-in-law, Marie Anger; and Labrador Retriever, Sheba.
Visitation will take place on Monday, Nov. 28, 2011, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Erlewein Mortuary in Greenfield. Funeral services will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011, at 10 a.m. at the mortuary. Reverend Dr. JoAnn Kennedy Slater will be officiating and burial will take place at Park Cemetery in Greenfield.
John’s family wishes to gratefully acknowledge the kind and gentle care he received at Wishard and St. Vincent Hospitals in Indianapolis. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Eskenazi Health Foundation (Wishard) or St. Vincent Foundation.
Friends may sign the online guestbook at www.erleweinmortuary.com or email condolences to [email protected].
