Randall Garry "Randy" Barr

Randall (Randy) Garry Barr passed away on Monday, November 25, 2024, after a battle with Parkinson’s Disease (PSP). He was 78 years of age.

Randy was born to Leona Margaret (Calkins) Barr and Benjamin Naurice Barr on St. Mary’s Lake on February 26, 1946. He attended St. Philip Catholic School for 12 years until graduation in 1964. Randy had very fond remembrances for three young boys destined to become his best friends, and who all preceded him in death: Jimmy Kerr, David Haylock, and especially David Prideaux.

Randy enjoyed science and won the youth talent Grand Prize (a city-wide event) and was a National Science Fair finalist. In 1969, at the age of 22, he graduated Magna Cum Laude with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Detroit. In 1981, he completed his MBA at Wayne State University. He began a 5-year cooperative program with the Ford Motor Company in August of 1966 and stayed with Ford until he retired in 1999, after serving in various engineering; product planning, design, and development; and marketing planning management functions.

 Randy was formerly married to Kathleen Galloup in 1968. They are both survived by their daughters, Emilie Hastings of Howell, MI and Jeannie (Scott) Withington of Murral’s Inlet, SC.

 Randy is also survived by Elizabeth (Bizzy Allen) Barr, whom he married on May 30, 2003 and shared 21 years of marriage; her two daughters, Lisa (Tim) Mockabee of Middleburg, FL and Katie McMillan of South Haven, MI; ten grandchildren, Claire, Jack, Charlie, Michael and Patrick Withington, Joseph and Gabrielle Mena; Mary Emma, Kennedy Lee, and Briar Leanne Mockabee; and his brother, Robert (Rebecca) Barr.

 While he loved science and engineering, Randy’s true passion was working with wood. He built several new homes and spent much of his spare time working on custom projects and his 34-foot 1964 Chris Craft cruiser slipped in South Haven, MI. Randy was an active member of St. Basil Catholic Church, where he was a lector and supported the Knights of Columbus. In 2024 alone, he hand made over 40 rosaries for his friends and family.

 A memorial celebration will be held on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at St. Basil Catholic Church in South Haven, MI beginning with a rosary at 10:30 am, Mass at 11:30, followed by a luncheon. Inurnment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Battle Creek, MI. Arrangements are by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com. Donations can be made to St. Philip Catholic Church or St. Basil Catholic Church.