James R Barr

Jim was born May 2, 1956 in Abington, Pennsylvania to the late Jeanne (nee Krauss) and James Barr.

Growing up, Jim enjoyed spending time with friends, listening to music, and playing sports, finding success in football, baseball, and basketball. Following high school, Jim attended Lynn University (College of Boca Raton) where he could soak up the Florida sun, play tennis, and catch the greatest rock acts of the 70s.

He eventually found his way back to his home state, attending and graduating from Penn State University with a degree in Environmental Sciences. His Uncle Bill (Krauss) helped him find a job with ATA in Washington DC where Jim would work for 7 years.

During this time, Jim stayed active, running 16 miles a day through the National Mall and playing in a local softball league. It was through softball that he met and eventually married his true love and best friend Vicky (nee Esser). After the birth of their two children, Maggie and James, Jim’s career took them down to south Florida where he started work at Ryder.

He would work 28 years for Ryder before retiring in 2015. Throughout his life Jim spent time doing things he loved with the people he loved. Whether it was traveling with friends or cheering for his favorite Philly sports teams (Go Birds!), Jim was always loving life and having a great time. Above all, Jim enjoyed spending time with his family, keeping busy with his children and eventually his grandchildren.

If he wasn’t at a swim meet, marching band competition, or sporting event (soccer, lacrosse, football, or baseball) you would find him at the beach, listening to music by the pool, or working in the yard. Jim also enjoyed spending his summers (and the occasional frigid fall or spring day) in Ocean City, New Jersey at the family home his grandmother Lillian had built. Jim took pride in maintaining the house and loved every minute he spent there with his family at the beach, on the boardwalk, or in the back alley playing whiffle ball.

He would ask that you remember him this way, as a man who loved his wife and family, was deeply proud of his children and grandchildren, who enjoyed time with his friends, would support his teams through the bad and the good (Go Birds!), and enjoyed a sunny day at the beach

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Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of nearly 43 years, Vicky, his children, Maggie (Trey) Barr, James (Charlene) Barr, sister, Helen Barr, sister-in-law, Tammy (Ron) Ashby, nieces, Beth (Jason) Ramsey, Marissa Ashby, nephews, Justin (Lisa) Ashby, Eric (Kayla) Cross, Jarrett Ashby, grandchildren, Emma, Avery, and Sullivan Barr, Henry and Samuel Oguin.

The family will hold a Celebration of Life on Saturday, April 26, 2025, 12:00-4:00pm at the Residence Inn St. Petersburg Tierra Verde.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.