Leonard A. Barr, Jr.

Leonard was born in Gulf, Texas on May 2, 1922. Growing up, he was famous for taking apart the family Model T when he was 10 years old! And he got it back together just fine! He was a graduate of Boling High School and attended Texas Tech in Lubbock prior to enlisting in WWII. He trained at Wendover, UT from April to Sept of 1942, and was in the advance party to Thurleigh base in England. He was in the 367th squadron, 306th H Bomb Group, and rose to be the youngest Master Sergeant in the group. He was awarded a Bronze star for the around the clock work to keep the B-17's flying. On Jan. 13, 1945, he married the love of his life, Minerva Gill, in England; they were together 62 years. They moved back to Texas after the war, and Leonard worked for Baldridge Bakery in Lubbock for 19 years before opening his own business. Leonard is survived by his children Marsha Katrina Echols and husband Bob of Jordan, Minnesota, Leonard III (Andy) of Belton, and Graylin Patrick Barr of Houston, Texas; and three granddaughters: Anne Echols of Houston, Libby Echols of Ft. Myers, Florida, and Alexia Echols of Minnesota; brothers Clifford Barr (Lucy), Bob Barr (Nancy) of Dripping Springs; sister Betty Norton (N.G.) of Belton; and numerous nieces and nephews. His parents and his wife Minerva preceded him in death.