“When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.” ~unknown

Rick Barr was a free-spirit who lived by his own rules. By all accounts, he was a warm and affable man who was gifted in his ability to connect with anyone he met. Whether he knew you in the capacity of family, friend, or even acquaintance, Rick was always Rick—unpretentious, honest, and unapologetically himself. He seldom expressed unsolicited opinions about matters that were none of his business. But if asked directly, he was skilled at offering deceptively simple yet wise advice and perspectives. Keenly observant and perceptive, he possessed a rare ability to make those he loved feel special—not because he was inflating their egos but because he genuinely recognized something unique in each person and instinctively knew how to nurture and help grow these traits. He shared especially meaningful connections with his life-long friend Dallas and extended family members including his aunt Olive, many nieces and nephews, and even a nephew-in-law. He was quietly generous with his time and resources, often working behind the scenes to help others in need without fanfare or acknowledgment. He was a man of action. As his daughter Robin stated, “If he loved you, you knew it even if there were no words spoken.”

Rick knew he was a bit mischievous and self-directed as a child, and his siblings don’t disagree with this assessment. But they all consistently describe him as being a good and dependable brother. Rick was the sixth child born to William Howard Barr (1913-1995) and Alysia Lewis Barr (1915-2008). Aside from periods of his childhood spent "up north" when his father found work there, Rick primarily grew up in the Little Horse Creek area of Ashe County, NC and always felt most at home there. He delighted in exploring “back in the mountain" with his family packed into his beloved Ford Bronco—top off, on a warm day, recounting stories of old homeplaces and memorable “old timers” long-passed.

Rick managed to hold copious amounts of love in his heart for many, but none more so than his beloved wife of almost 57 years and his four children. Married to Charlotte Elliott in August 1969, they soon welcomed sons Ricky and Randy in quick succession with Robin following not long after. The entire family was pleasantly surprised by the arrival of baby sister Kelli ten years later. Experiencing a devastating house fire in 1977, the family faced considerable ensuing hardship. Despite the challenges, their home was constantly filled with lively music, laughter, stories, and the warmth of their parents’ love. Visitors frequented their home with Rook cards in hand, ready to enjoy an evening of good company, good music, and an endless supply of taters sliced thin and fried to perfection atop the old wood cook stove. A natural music maker since early childhood, a memorable evening with friends frequently included Rick entertaining everyone with his guitar renditions of “House of the Rising Sun” or his very own “Barr Boogie.” Among family and friends, Rick was fondly known for his snappy comebacks and quick wit, a trait that he inherited from his father and one that never waned even in declining health. Rick was a steady and caring presence in the lives of each of his children. As a lifelong asphalt paver, he modeled a strong work ethic and the importance of taking pride in a job well-done. Additionally, he instilled in his children other qualities that would prepare them well for future successes in their individual lives: determination, independence, generosity, thoughtfulness, a helpful nature, dependability, and humor.

Rick was proud of his children, but he revelled in the joys of grandparenthood and, in fact, enjoyed meeting all the babies he could regardless of relation (as evidenced by the countless number of pictures the family has of him smiling at and holding babies). After the laughter from their own kids had faded from their home, it was once again filled with the squibbles and squabbles of numerous grandchildren running the halls and laughing out loud at the antics of their siblings and cousins. Pap might have appeared annoyed by all the commotion, but everyone knows he secretly loved having a houseful of children running and screaming and doing what kids do.

Rick Barr was a treasure to all who had the good fortune of loving him and being loved by him; and now his memory will be our lasting treasure, too. Rick touched the lives of so many—more than we will probably ever know. He had a kind and giving spirit and carried with him a heart full of boundless love, which he gave freely and without condition. Now we are left to honor his memory and carry forward his legacy of love by giving just as freely to those we already love and those we are yet to meet. The next time you take a leisurely drive on a winding country road, enjoy a cup of black coffee or a tomato biscuit, gaze across the stacked mountain ridges, or jam out to some Dr. Hook, we ask that you simply think of him with a smile and be thankful for all he left you.

The family takes comfort in knowing that Rick is now reunited with his parents William Howard Barr and Alysia Lewis Barr, his sister Mildred (Mickey) Driver, and numerous friends and family members whose passings, one by one, broke his heart a little more each time.

Left to treasure his memory are his wife of nearly 57 years, Charlotte Elliott Barr; children Ricky Barr (Desiree), Randy Barr (Stephanie), Robin Barr Little (Kevin), and Kelli Barr; sisters Janet Peterson, Margaret Brooks, Joni Barr, and Opal Barr; brothers David Barr (Janet), Johnny Barr (Donna), and Billy Barr (Brenda); grandchildren Meghan, Brittany (Dakota), Ashley, Rain, Alex, Terran, Tom, Mason, Dylan, Olivia, Chloe, and Maggie; great grandchildren Stori, Braylan, Melody, Wynter, and Wylder; and many special friends and extended family members.

The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00 pm at Ashelawn Memorial Chapel on Saturday, August 1st. A funeral service will immediately follow at 2:00 pm, with the burial taking place at Calhoun/Big Springs Cemetery afterward. The family welcomes all who knew and loved Rick to share in this time of remembrance and fellowship. All are invited to share a meal with the family after the burial at Riverview Community Center (11719 NC-88 in Creston).