Carl Ardean Barr
Carl Ardean Barr, 90, of Desert Aire passed away Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, in Wenatchee.
His mother, Lucille A., and father, Carl A., welcomed their son May 30, 1934, in a two-room house in Polson, Mont. At just two weeks old, his mother hired babysitters while they worked their truck garden selling produce to the local cannery. His family moved around as his father also worked at felling trees with his Uncle Ray. At one point they lived in Bremerton, Wash., where Carl watched the repairing of the Puget Sound Naval Ship for combat.
His family was very poor, without running water, using an outhouse and using their coats for blankets. Despite that, his parents helped others who came to them. As a teen, Carl literally walked barefoot to school (we have not confirmed whether it was also uphill …). His classmates gave him shoes, though, something Carl confessed both embarrassed and humbled him, no doubt contributing to his tender heart for others.
In 1951, immediately after graduating from Marlin High School, Carl enlisted in the U.S. Navy, joining the ranks of his heroes. He lied about his age and could not swim. As an Electrician’s Mate serving aboard the U.S.S. Andromeda AKA-15, the U.S.S. Fort Marion LSD-22 and the LST-825, Carl traveled the world before discharge in 1955 as a 2nd Class Petty Officer Electrician’s Mate. Carl was proud to serve in the Korean War and travelled to Washington D.C. as part of the Honor Guard in 2019 with his son, Ray, a Navy Petty Officer.
He attended Ohio University (BS Electrical Engineering), serving as the State President and Student Chapter President for the Ohio Society of Professional Engineers. In 1963, he joined Grant County Public Utility District as an electrical engineer for the Priest Rapids Project. While working, he attended WSU (MS Electrical Engineering). He was awarded the “William T. Elmgren” award for Outstanding Community Service by the Washington PUD Association and was elected Grant County PUD Commissioner, serving from 1990-1996.
Carl was a Scoutmaster, a city councilman, mayor, volunteer fireman, pastor and the first EMT in Mattawa, teaching others CPR. After retirement, he was the Rotary president with the Moses Lake chapter, traveling to Mexico three times on their behalf.
Carl had a heart for serving others, stemming from his heart for serving his Savior, Jesus. He was profoundly grateful for the forgiveness offered him and the opportunity to reflect back the love of Jesus to others. Carl spent his final years at Regency in Wenatchee, leading Bible studies and praying with the other residents. The final day of his earthly life, a stunning parade of residents requested time to say goodbye to Carl. It is an understatement to say he was loved and loved well.
Carl is survived by his wife of 38 years, Janice, sister Dolores (Jesse) Knopp, half-brothers Ken Forland and David Forland, half-sisters Sandi (Tim) Vander Does and Barb (Tom) Hunstad, children Donna (Jamie) Jamison, Robert (Felicia) Barr, Raymond (Crystal) Barr, Deana (Jeff) Long, Jon (Karen) Barr, his stepchildren Michael (Katie) Cagle and Karen Reck, 29 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.
Carl was preceded in death by his parents, Carl A. and Lucille, stepmother Betty Barr, sister Shirley (Don) Hanson, brother Jerry Barr and half-brother Jim Forland, stepsister Betty Jolly James and stepson Roger Cagle.
The family would welcome the opportunity to share our memories with you. Viewing will be at the Moses Lake Presbyterian Church on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., followed at 11 a.m. by a celebration of life. Private family interment will follow Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, with Military Honors, at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Rotary Club of Moses Lake in Carl’s honor.
Please express your thoughts and memories for the family at https://bit.ly/CABARR. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser's Chapel of Memories.
