Dr. Saul “Sonny” Barr, 65, died Jan. 2, 2015 in Gulf Shores after a brave battle with bladder cancer.
Sonny is survived by his wife, Kristjana Barr of Gulf Shores; children, Helga James and son-in-law Jeff James of Gulf Shores and Sara Cox and son-in-law, Derek Cox of Fort Worth, Texas; siblings, Arnold Barr of Philadelphia, Pa. and Lila Grossman of Peabody, Mass.; grandchildren, Olivia and Jeffrey James of Gulf Shores and Anna and Gunnar Cox of Fort Worth, Texas.
His grandson, Sonny Maxwell James of Gulf Shores preceded him in death.
Sonny was born on Aug. 6, 1949 in Worcester, Mass.
He graduated from the University of Massachusetts for his undergraduate degree and the University of Florida for his doctorate in the 1978.
While serving in the Navy, he met his wife Kris and they married on June 2, 1972 in Reykjavik, Iceland where they lived while he served. After moving back to America, they lived in several states as he followed his career.
He became tenured professor at the University of Tennessee at Martin and retired in 1992. He won many awards and wrote many books, he continued to teach at European universities and most recently taught at TCU.
He consulted for several Fortune 500 companies such as Raytheon, Goodyear, Alcoa and Lockheed Martin.
During Kris and Sonny’s 42-year marriage, they welcomed two children and five grandchildren into their lives. Sonny was a caring and loving Afi (grandfather), father and husband. He loved his family more than words can describe. They all loved boating and camping together.
A funeral is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2014 at Pine Rest Funeral Home in Foley.
Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. until time of the service.
Interment will follow in Pine Rest Memorial Park.
A reception will follow at the Barrs’ home in Gulf Shores. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Sonny’s life.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Memorial Account No. 9506075, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
