Today we laid to rest our beloved co-worker, friend and brother in Chirst.  Sgt. C.R. Barr fought a good fight.  In 2001, he suffered a massive heart attack which most agree, should have ended his life.  However, GOD said no because he had other plans for Chuck.  Eventually, Chuck returned to work and retired from Travis County in 2010.  If you asked his former staff members and co-workers to describe him, they would say he was filled with compassion and he treated people with respect and decency.   He took time out to listen and give advice but most of all he was always smiling. 

Chuck's life was devoted to service, service in the military, service in the Dallas School System, Service in the Dallas Transit System, service at TCSO but most importantly, Service at home, at Church and in the Community.  He touched the lives of many by serving as the leader of the "Circles of Greatness" groups at his church - Greater Mt. Zion, Austin Texas.  Chuck did not mind, in fact he looked for opportunities to share Christ and his experiences with others. 

Today's message from his Pastor, "Two Hearts" characterized the life of Sgt. Charles Ray Barr.  Chuck you will truly be missed.

The life and legancy of Sgt. Charles Ray Barr

Charles Ray Barr was born September 12, 1949 in Paris, Texas to Robert and Dorothy Barr. He attended school in Paris, Texas graduating from Paris High School. He later graduated from East Texas State University. Charles was employed as a school teacher in the Dallas, Texas Public School System as well as an employee of the Dallas, Texas Transit System. He was later employed by the Travis County Sheriff's Office where he provided 23 years of public service.

Charles accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and attended the Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church in Austin, Texas. He was a faithful member of GMZ and truly enjoyed serving as a leader of one of the Circles of Greatness (COG) groups. His love of God and the many miracles that have been bestowed upon his life were often shared in this arena.

Charles Barr married Georgia Griffis and to this union one child was born. Charles later married Marcia Gail Barr and to this union two children were born. In 2003, Charles married Jo Ann Williams.

Charles enjoyed spending quality time with his family, reading books about positive thinking and the journey of people seeking God's purpose in their lives. He enthusiastically enjoyed sports and was not afraid to let anyone know how much he loved his Dallas Cowboys! Above all else, Charles had an exquisitely loving heart for God and embraced every opportunity to share his travels with God by his side, to inspire the lives of others.

Charles Ray Barr peacefully departed this life on Sunday, July 8, 2012 at Seton Hospital. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Dorothy Barr, and one sister Karen Kay Barr. Charles leaves to cherish his legacy and memory, his loving and devoted wife, Jo Ann Barr; three children: Breona Barr of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Brenhen Barr of Omaha, Nebraska and Keisha Barr of San Diego, California; two brothers: Jerry W. Barr (Linda) of Hutto, Texas and Kerry Ray Barr (Wendy) of Honey Grove, Texas; two step-children: Rodrick Williams (Jearnal) and Reginald Williams, Jr.; five grand-children: Christopher Williams, Jalaya Williams, Rakiah Williams, Solomon Head and Asa Head; nieces, nephews, cousins and numerous relatives and friends.