Thomas L. Barr
Thomas L. Barr, age 71, died Saturday, November 10th after a long illness.
The son of Leon and Wynona Barr, he is survived by his wife of 47 years, Christine Barr, and his daughters, Shaina Barr, Cheryl Miller (and husband Scott Miller) and Christi Schaeffer (and husband Robert Schaeffer) along with his grandchildren, Brig (8) and Mecklyn (6) Miller and Robin (8) and Gavin (5) Schaeffer.
Born November 8, 1941 in Dyersburg, Tenn., he graduated high school from Dyersburg High School. He went on to attend the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, graduating in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. He also earned certification as a Professional Electrical Engineer in 1971. He began his career working for Winsett-Simmons, an engineering firm in Memphis. In 1967 he moved with his family to Knoxville, Tenn., where he worked as a design engineer for TVA. He remained with TVA until 1974, when his sense of adventure and an abiding appetite for new challenges led him to Saudi Arabia, where he worked for the Arabian American Oil Company (ARAMCO) and the Saudi Consolidated Electric Company (SCECO) where he played an instrumental role in designing, developing and managing an integrated electric power grid for the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. He retired from ARAMCO and SCECO in 1989, settling in to a home in Mansfield, Tenn., that he and his wife custom designed.
After a brief period of rest and reflection, he was hired by ABB to design electrical transformers and control cabinets where he was considered "ABB's Best in the Business Controls Expert". He worked for ABB for 10 years before "retiring" again. Not content to rest on his laurels and ever seeking out new challenges, Tom put his resume on Monster.com and was recruited within days by the U.S. Department of Defense for a top secret post. While Tom was sworn to secrecy as to the nature and details of his work, he no doubt drew on his years in Saudi Arabia to inform all the assignments he was tasked with by the Department of Defense.
Tom retired, finally and fully in 2010 after a career that culminated with recognition by resolution and award of The Joint Civilian Service Commendation Award from the Joint Warfare Analysis Center, U.S. Joint Forces Command for "…directly supporting several major operational planning efforts and combat operations," "…leading electric power analytic efforts that provided critical information in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom," and for "…providing analysis that aligned operational and strategic planning, shaping U.S. national policy," an accomplishment for which he was most proud.
As distinguished as his career was, he was most devoted to his family, his greatest source of joy, strength and pride. He returned to Paris, Tenn. with his wife, Christine, and daughter Shaina, where he attended New Harmony Baptist Church and remained until his death.
Graveside services will be held for the family on Tuesday, November 13th. Flowers may be received at Ridgeway Funeral Home or donations can be made in Tom Barr's name to the Caring Hearts Fund, assisting those touched by cancer, at P.O. Box 1030, Paris, TN 38242.