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Arthur A. “Junior” Barr died Feb. 20 at Hospice Compassion in Payson. He is survived by his sisters, Mary McTyre and Louise Robinette; brother, George; dear friend and companion, LaVerne Belcher; as well as several nieces and nephews. He was born in Cuba, New Mexico on Aug. 11, 1923 to Arthur and Francis Carolyn “Carrie” (Menefee) Barr.
Junior spent his early years, during the Depression, on his maternal grandfather’s ranch, near Mancus, Colorado, where he and a cousin developed a close bond. He came to Arizona when he was 12 years old, and, during World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, quickly rising to the rank of Corporal. As a gunner with the 864th Anti-Aircraft Battalion, in the Asiatic Pacific Theater, he received the Good Conduct, American Campaign, Asiatic Pacific Campaign and World War II Victory medals.
Most of his adult life, Junior worked in copper mining while living in Kearny. He was a charter Life Member of the Elks Lodge No. 2478 in Kearny. Junior’s wife, Hazel Inez Barr, died in Feb., 1995, and, three years later, he moved to the Bear Flat near Payson. He enjoyed watching construction going on at Bear Flat, as well as playing dominoes at the Payson Senior Center on Mondays, after having a nice lunch there. Junior always had a big smile and he loved to make people laugh, and, he wanted friends to remember him that way.
A memorial /potluck service will be held at the Kearny Elks Lodge, Sunday, March 30 at 2:30 p.m. This is open to the public. Contributions honoring Junior, locally, may be made to the Payson Senior Center, 514 W. Main St., Payson, AZ 85541.
Junior requested a memorial service in Kearny, with his friends having a potluck together. The Elks Installation of officers will follow the memorial service, and, then the potluck.
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