Carroll Ray Barr

Carroll Ray Barr, 79, of Paragould, passed away after a lengthy illness Friday, April 7, 2023, at St. Bernards Medical Center.  He was born October 26, 1943, in the Alexander Community to Charles and Erma Barr.  Growing up Carroll Ray enjoyed playing sports and later watching Razorback football and basketball games.  In his younger days, Carroll Ray drag raced Sunday afternoons on Highway 135 North, and in his later days he did not drive fast enough to get out of the way.  When he was not working he moved pretty slowly, but when he was working you had to run to keep up with him.  Carroll Ray was an avid ice fisherman while living in Michigan.  Once he moved back to Arkansas, he shared his love of fishing with his children and grandchildren.  He retired from Yarnell Ice Cream after over 30 years of service.  After retirement, he could be found in the back corner of 7 Acres Flea Market making a deal on lawnmowers he reconditioned.  Carroll Ray was also involved in farming, and the last farm he rented was flooded when he first saw it.  It was about 2 feet deep over the entire 950 acres.  Knowing the water would recede by planting time, he said, “Okay, we will raise crawfish and carp on this one.”  Family was the most important part of Carroll Ray’s life.  He dedicated his time to his children and grandchildren.  Keeping up with their hobbies and interest was a full time job.  Carroll Ray looked forward to every opportunity for a family meal.  He and Pat worked hard preparing the feast, and Carroll Ray especially enjoyed a coconut cake.  Carroll Ray enjoyed being busy all the time, whether it was fixing things, building projects, or just tinkering he found joy in every moment.  Stubborn, ornery, quick witted, and a jokester were just a few of Carroll Ray’s wonderful personality traits.  Carroll Ray was a wonderful, loving family man and friend that will be missed dearly.     

Carroll Ray was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Charles Barr and Jimmy Barr.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Pat Barr; son and daughter-in-law, Joey and Jennifer Barr; daughters and sons-in-law, Carrie and Charles Dozier, Marieta and Chris Posey; brother, Harold Deen Barr; grandchildren, Justin Barr (Mandy Elliott), Jordan Barr, Dr. Alexander Dozier, Madelyn Dozier, Oliver Dozier, Yexler Posey, Yavier Posey, and Yeager Posey; and numerous granddogs and grandcats.   

The family will receive friends Tuesday, April 11, from noon until service time at Phillips Funeral Home.  The funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m. at Phillips Funeral Home with Deacon Ricardo Puello officiating.  Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Joey Barr, Justin Barr, Jordan Barr, Charles Dozier, Dr. Alexander Dozier, Oliver Dozier, Chris Posey, and Yexler Posey will serve as pallbearers.  Yavier Posey and Yeager Posey will serve as honorary pallbearers.

The Barr family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff at St. Bernards ICU for the wonderful care given to Carroll Ray.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.