H.C.R. No. 43
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Family and friends are mourning the loss of Hoyle R.
Barr of Paris, Texas, who died on January 2, 2009, at the age of 91;
and
WHEREAS, Born to C. Hoyle and Faith O. Barr on December 7,
1917, Hoyle Barr was a native of Paris and a member of a family with
a long history in the city; and
WHEREAS, Answering his nation's call to duty, Mr. Barr
enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1940, beginning a
distinguished career as a military aviator that lasted 22 years;
during World War II, he fought at Midway, Guadalcanal, Luzon, and
Mindanao; he also fought in the Korean War and the Vietnam War and
served at the Pentagon; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Barr was a versatile pilot, flying dive-bombers,
jets, and helicopters over the course of his service; he earned 2
Distinguished Flying Crosses, a Bronze Star, and 12 Air Medals; a
photograph of then Lieutenant Hoyle Barr, taken at Midway, appeared
in Life magazine, and for many years the picture was also displayed
at Barr's Coffee Shop in Paris; and
WHEREAS, After his retirement from the Marine Corps in 1962,
Mr. Barr went to work for LTV as an engineer specialist, but he soon
returned to school to pursue his dream of becoming a writer; he
earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from The University of
Texas at Arlington and did graduate work at Texas Christian
University and East Texas State University; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Barr was a gifted writer and storyteller with a
jaunty style and a mischievous sense of humor; he published two
popular volumes of poetry and anecdotes about his childhood in
Paris and his wartime experiences; in 2008, he gave an extensive
interview about his military service to representatives of the
Library of Congress; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan also turned his creative
energies to the craft of jewelry making; he taught the subject at
VOTEC, and after returning to Paris in 1973, he became the director
of the jewelry school at Paris Junior College, where he worked until
retiring again in 1987; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Barr was a valued member of the congregation and
a lay reader at Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Paris; for his
exceptional achievements and service to Paris Junior College, he
was inducted into the PJC Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, A loving husband and a devoted father, Hoyle Barr
earned the respect and affection of countless people over the
course of his long life, and although he is no longer with us, his
warmth and high spirits will live forever in his writings and in the
hearts of those who knew and loved him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby pay tribute to the life of Hoyle R. Barr and extend sincere
condolences to the members of his family: to his wife of 65 years,
Maidie Sackett Barr; to his daughters, Bette Barr, Anne Drake, and
Kathleen Bryant; to his grandson, Cory; to his granddaughters,
Julia and Natalie; to his two great-grandchildren; and to his other
relatives and friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of
Hoyle R. Barr.
Homer
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 43 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on February 17, 2009.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 43 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the Senate on April 21, 2009.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor