James Alan Barr

James "Jim" Alan Barr, 72, of Abilene, Texas, passed away peacefully on August 12, 2025 surrounded by his loving family.

Jim was born on March 30, 1953, in Abilene, Texas, to Grady Gene Barr and Alma Virginia South Barr. He grew up in Abilene, attending Cooper High School from 1967 to 1971, where he was a founding member of "The Cavaliers." From 1971 to 1975, he attended the University of Texas, where he served as President of Sigma Phi Epsilon.

Jim built a long and distinguished career in the roofing industry, serving as President, owner, and operator of Barr Roofing Company. His leadership extended far beyond his own business-he served in numerous capacities within the Midwestern Roofing Contractors Association (MRCA), including President from 2001 to 2002, and within the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), where he was elected Chairman of the Board in 2017.

His decades of dedication to the industry earned him its highest honors. In 2011, he received the James Q. McCawley Award, presented annually by MRCA in recognition of outstanding service to the roofing profession. In 2024, he was awarded the prestigious J. A. Piper Award, presented to one roofing professional per year for exceptional and sustained service to NRCA and the industry.

In Abilene, Jim gave generously of his time and talents, serving on numerous boards, including the Military Affairs Committee. His life was marked by hard work, integrity, philanthropy, and an unwavering commitment to his business, his community, and those he loved.

Jim's personal passions were as vibrant as his professional achievements. A lover of music-especially rhythm and blues-he founded the Key City Rhythm & Blues Festival, which ran for four years beginning in 2015. He enjoyed fast cars, live music, fine wine, cooking for friends and family, history, traveling, and for a period of his life, tending to his Brahman cattle. In 2014, he participated in Dancing with the Stars, delighting those who knew his fun-loving spirit.

Jim was a man of deep faith, serving as a Deacon at the Abilene Community Church of Abilene. His values of generosity, integrity, wisdom, and steadfast love touched countless lives throughout his years.

Jim is survived by his wife, Lura 'Sue' Barr; his children Alana Michelle Hendrick and her husband, Joel, with grandsons William Young and James Young; Amy Lane Barr, with grandsons Dylan Barr and Beau Barr; James Alan Barr, Jr. and his wife, Mary Catherine, with grandsons Tripp Barr and Ellis Barr; Austin Dylan Esquivel and his wife, Briana, with grandsons Easton Esquivel, A.J. Esquivel, and granddaughter Gabriela Esquivel; Chelsea Kendall Esquivel and fiancé, Ethan Music; and Sydney Elese Tebet and her husband, Nicholas, with granddaughter Isabella Tebet and grandson Thomas Tebet, and his sister, Brenda Meckley and her husband, Jim; nieces Megan Meckley and Taylor Meckley;

He was preceded in death by his parents, Grady Gene Barr and Alma Virginia South Barr; stepmother, Ann Lee Barr; and brother, Grady Gene Barr, Jr.

Visitation will be held at Hamil Family Funeral Home on Wednesday, August 20 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

A celebration of Jim's life will be held on Thursday, August 21 at 10:30 a.m. at The Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Hendrick Hospice Care or The Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest.

Jim lived by faith and by joy, embracing life with the motto, "Laissez les bon temps rouler." His family takes comfort in the promise of Scripture: "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." - 2 Corinthians 5:8. He will be fondly remembered and sorely missed by those who knew him by his many names... Wolfie, Jimmy, Granddad, Dad, and Peepaw.