It is with great sadness that we can confirm the death of our beloved father, husband, brother-in-law, cousin, uncle, mentor, and dear friend, David Barr, Jr.  David passed away peacefully, Sunday morning, October 11, 2020, 10:30 a.m. at Riverside Walter Reed Convalescent & Rehabilitation Center in Gloucester, Virginia after a lengthy illness. He was 87 years old. Born in Lake City, South Carolina, David escaped Jim Crow segregation when his parents (David Barr, Sr. and Ruth J. Lewis Barr) migrated to the historic Phoebus District of Hampton, Virginia.

He attended George P. Phenix Elementary and High School where he obtained his diploma with the Class of 1952.

Following graduation, he worked for The Pullman Train Company (Chicago) as a 'Red Cap' baggage handler, a steward, and briefly as a Night Porter before he was drafted into the United States Army. After his honorable discharge from the service, David enrolled at Hampton Institute in 1954 where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology with the Class of 1959. He later earned his Master's Degree in Guidance & Counseling, again from Hampton Institute, in 1970.

He was employed by the Newport News Public School System, first as a devoted Social Studies and Civics teacher at Collis P. Huntington High, and later as an Assistant Principal for Newport News High School, Homer L. Ferguson High School, and Menchville High School.

Iron-willed, granite-jawed, and warm-hearted, David Barr, Jr. was, in the best ways, a polyhistor; i.e. a person of great and varied learning. In addition to his decorated career as a public-school teacher, administrator, civil servant, and community activist, his deeply melodious 'mahogany voice' also led to an unanticipated 'second life' as a popular play-by-play sports announcer at high school basketball and football games for well over twenty years across the Eastern Region of the V.H.S.L. (Virginia High School League)

David worked tirelessly with the City of Hampton in public service for several decades, beginning first as a Neighborhood Youth Counselor with the Hampton Roads Community Action Program in the early 1970s. He was a Peninsula District summer school Principal at Kecoughtan High in the early 1980s and became Chairman of PACES (Peninsula Area Cooperative Educational Services that assists special needs and autistic children in finding placement within their local school district) toward the end of the decade.

Later in his career, he served two terms on the Hampton City School Board before joining the Hampton City Planning Commission (the latter as Vice-Chairman and then Chairman, respectively) during an eight-year tenure. In addition to his numerous leadership roles and appointments, David also had many professional and civic affiliations including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. --Delta Beta Lamda Chapter, Hampton, Virginia (Recipient of the 2018 Elder Elite Award for "Outstanding Service to the Chapter" ), the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Virginia Retired Teachers Association, the National Caucus of Black School Board Members, the Virginia School Board Association, as well as the National School Board Association. David was also a longtime congregant at Zion Baptist Church, located in his beloved east Hampton community.

There was no class in a David Barr, Jr. classroom. As a rookie teacher in 1960 within racially divided Newport News, Virginia, David unflinchingly encouraged students to take stands against social injustices, intransigence, and to be active participants in the political process. Though his entire school system was still legally mired in deeply rooted segregation, David took great professional risks to rally his colleagues against the immutable state sanctioned apartheid of the day. He spoke out vehemently against scholastic pundits who unashamedly wrote their own personal biases and social prejudices into black-letter law; under the thinly disguised patina of 'separate but equal.'

Conversely, David affirmed in his students a world of endless possibilities that all started with obtaining a solid education; a rare and precious gift that was often denied to generations of their ancestors.

The students who truly knew David Barr, Jr. loved him...because he understood them, and was genuinely on their side. He was our North Star, a genuine role model, an unsung hero, and a dedicated 'Soldier of the Cross' in the truest sense of the word. David constantly looked to find common ground with people from divergent backgrounds. In doing this, he formed a strong sense of camaraderie and collegiality within his classrooms. He also fomented a sharing atmosphere where pupils and colleagues alike, from varied backgrounds, peaceably lived together, learned together, and grew together despite their differences. When you walked in the light with David Barr, Jr. you never felt shadows.

David Barr, Jr. was preceded in death by his parents, David Barr, Sr. and Ruth J. Lewis Barr; and his caring, devoted wife of 53 years, Mary Milo Barr (originally from the historic Aberdeen Gardens neighborhood in Hampton, Virginia). In addition to family and friends across the nation he is survived by his son, David Barr III, his brother-in-law, Lenrow Milo, Jr., his nieces, Teneane Smith (her sons Jason Marable and Anthony Leath), Tonya Smith (her son Myles Ellis), Terrena Smith, and nephew Terrance Milo (his wife Tonya Jones Milo and their daughter Ashley Milo)

We wish to thank our supportive relatives from The Lewis Family (Deacon Isaac Lewis, Jr., Clinton Lewis, Sr. and Antonio Lewis, Clinton Lewis, Jr., Roberto and Roxanne Lewis, Marie Lewis, Christina Lewis, and Angela Lewis-Simmons)

The Moses Family (Fred N. and Mazzie B. Moses, Bishop James Edward Moses, Jerome Moses, Lena T. Moses, Dr. Oral Moses, and Sarah Ellen Moses-Hennighan with her son Gregory Hennighan), and The Wiggins Family (Reverend Hattie Patricia Wiggins and Robert Wiggins, Sr. and their sons Robert Jr., Glenn, and Christopher) for a lifetime of love and support, through the good times and bad.

In addition, we send heartfelt appreciation to our closest extended family, The Washington Family (Deacon Clayton Randolph Washington, Raymond Washington Sr., his wife Arnetta Gilmore Washington and their son Dr. Raymond G. Washington, Jr. and Stephen Washington, with his wife Carol Washington.) for their loyalty and friendship.

The Barr Family also gratefully acknowledges the love and care provided for David by Kim J. and Angela Lucas, and Louis A. Banks who reside in his beloved Victoria Place neighborhood in Hampton.

Lastly, The Barr Family greatly appreciates the outpouring of prayers extended to David during his very difficult convalescence. He was sincerely comforted by your warm thoughts and countless acts of kindness (large and small) from everyone. You created precious memories he still held close, even when so many other cherished reminiscences slowly faded from his view.

Public viewing will be from 3-6 p.m., Friday, October 23 at O.H. Smith & Son Funeral Home. Due to COVID 19 the Celebration of Life Service will be private however can be viewed by clicking below.

In lieu of flowers, donations in David's memory can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, or The J. Dett Marshburn Scholarship Fund at Zion Baptist Church.

Goodbye, David. We'll see you in the morning. Kiss Mary for us.

O. H. Smith & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the Barr family.