Clyde Barr

Clyde "J.R." H. Barr Jr., of Altoona, PA, went to be with his Heavenly Father on October 23, 2017 at his residence surrounded by his loving family.

He was born one of seven children to the late Clyde H. and Mary I. (Thomas) Barr, Sr. in Blandburg, PA, on July 24, 1933. He was a 1951 graduate of Altoona Area High School. On February 23, 1957, Clyde married his wife, Lois Marie Reed, in Winchester, Virginia.

After graduating high school, Clyde joined the United States Army as a part of the 143rd Field Artillery Regiment.  He was a veteran of the Korean War, earning the following medals: National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, and the Korean Service Medal. Following his service, Clyde went to work in Harrisburg for the Pennsylvania State Hospital before moving back to Altoona to work for the P.R.R., later known as Conrail; he retired in 1995.

Clyde was an integral part of his community, serving as a member of VFW Post #8685, Bavarian Aid Society, Frohsinn Singing Society, and American Legion.

In his spare time, Clyde enjoyed playing baseball. He was a pitcher for the Altoona Area High School and the 13th ward, where he built up his confidence to try out with the Pittsburgh Pirates. After work, he would blow off steam by joining friends in a bowling league at the Pleasant Valley Bowling Center. He was an avid hunter and fisherman; he shared his love for the outdoors with his family by taking them camping at Poe Valley State Park each summer. God granted him the gift of hospitality in abundance, which he shared every Sunday with his family and friends at his home, cooking Sunday meals and providing for his family a space to gather, watch sporting events, and to play countless hours of card and board games.

Clyde's legacy will be his fun-loving, tight-knit family that he and his wife Lois built and fostered over the years. Their home was built on faith and the love of God. He could often be heard echoing the common phrase shared by his late brother, Dick Barr, "Keep the Main Thing, the Main Thing."

He is survived by his wife, Lois M. (Reed) Barr; children: Ricky Barr, Jeffrey Barr and wife, Paula, Stephen Barr and wife, Shannon, Denise Lego and husband, Jeffrey; grandchildren: Pamela Moyer, Justin Barr and wife, Kelly, Jeffrey Barr and wife, Sarah, Joshua Barr, Alicia Lattieri and husband, Patrick, Courtney Barr, Brittanie Barr and fiancé, Ian Styles, Ashley Fogal and husband, Nicholas; great-grandchildren: James Laich, Shayla Laich, Trenton Lattieri, Jada Lattieri, Eva Barr, Alexander Barr, and Felicity Barr; brothers: Robert Barr and wife, Donna (late), Harold Barr and wife, Bonnie; sister, Joy Kay Lumadue and husband James; sister-in-law Darlene Barr; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his sister, Barbara Jerosky and husband, Paul; brother, Richard Barr; sister, Shirley (Barr) Harpster; and niece, Wendy (Lumadue) Lafferty.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, October 25, 2017, at Mauk and Yates Funeral Home Inc., Altoona. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., at Juniata United Methodist Church on Thursday, October 26, 2017. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Clyde's name to: Lighthouse Ministries 140 Trinity Lane, Altoona, PA 16601.