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

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Governor