In Memory

Ken Barr - Class Of 1965



 
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08/22/10 10:53 PM #1    

Mark deSaint Rat (1965)


BARR, Jr., Kenneth D. (Kenny) 61, of Fairhaven, Ohio passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, November 16, 2008. He is survived by his wife Barbara, mother Sarah, sister Belinda (James), and brother Eric (Kym) and nephews Evan and Phillip Barr-Beare and Eric Barr II, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, a great many friends and army brothers. Kenny was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth, Sr. Kenny grew up in Oxford, Ohio, graduating from Talawanda High School in 1965 and attending Miami University. He was a free spirit and a great entertainer with a quick wit who was loved by all who met him. Kenny performed for years in the band, Browne Road, that played locally and toured states from along the Mississippi River to the Florida coast. He served his country in the United States Army on an extended tour of duty in Viet Nam. He was a Recondo School graduate and earned the right to be a member of the Special Forces Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRPs) and Aero Rifle Platoon. While a LRRP, he was awarded a Purple Heart, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, Viet Nam Service Medal, Viet Nam Campaign Medal, Air Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantry Man's Badge, and the National Defense Service Medal. Returning stateside he worked at Armco (AK Steel) in metallurgy and quality control for 30 years, retiring in 2007.


I found the above on the web.  Ken was born in January 1947 and I met him in '53 or '54 when he was living in a house owned by the Leland and Ruth Dutton on the west side of Oak Street in Oxford.  We lived at 716 S. Oak in University housing across from the future Anderson Hall while the Barrs lived across from the future Porter Hall. I recall quite a few scrub base ball games with Eddy Alexander and Jacky Lewis as well as a BB gun battle in the upstairs bedroom.  Ken was always good at baseball and football. 

After one of his Vietnam tours he got an Oldsmobile 442.  My wife and I were in this car with Ken at the wheel when we were going up to the Supper Club in Dayton.  We paused at a Middletown railroad track waiting on a train.  It was kind of tedious and as the last rail car came into sight, Ken revved the engine and as it passed began to gun it forward when a second train coming the opposite direction and hidden by the first came clipping past.  That was the fastest braking I ever want to experience.  I saw Ken in Fairhaven several times over the years and he came to visit one afternoon a year or two before he passed away.  He told me that up to a few years prior he had enjoyed his motor cycle but had laid it down in the gravel with some serious injury.  His memorial service was well attended and closed with a military honor guard.

Mark de Saint-Rat


10/04/10 04:41 PM #2    

Keith Singleton (1965)

During the school days, Kenny was a great guy to be around with a contagious laugh and infectuous sense of humor. Unfortunately, I lost track of him after we graduated. 

He was obviously a man of honor, courage and many talents....   


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