COLUMBUS, INDIANA
Allen D. Barr, 86, a resident of Columbus, Indiana, passed from this life at 3:39 a.m. Friday, January 6, 2023, at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana Inpatient Facility.
Allen was born in Bartholomew County, January 3, 1937, the son of the late Harry S. and Alice E. Clark Barr. In 1954, Allen married Mary E. Duncan; she preceded him in death February 17, 1999.
Allen was a member of the Indiana Army National Guard and served active duty with the U.S. Army during the Korean War era. He was honorably discharged October 23, 1957.
Allen had been a heavy equipment operator for Meshberger Stone and CUI and also was a self-employed landscaper. Allen was also the co-owner with his son, Bret, of Barr Trailer Sales in Columbus.
Allen’s true passion in life was racing. He had a long history of racing motorcycles and sprint cars. He raced cars for 51 years and won over 400 races. In 1968, he was the state champion of the TT Scramble Motorcycle Race. Allen was a three time Mid-West Sprint Car champion and won track championships at Paragon, Lawrenceburg, and Kokomo. Allen won the last sprint car race at the Columbus Fairgrounds Speedway, and he was a member of the Hoosier Auto Racing Fan Hall of Fame.
Allen is survived by his companion of 22 years, Millie Brown of Columbus; sons, Bill (Betty) Barr of Seymour and Bret (Kelly) Barr of North Vernon; son-in-law, Paul Roane of Commiskey; grandchildren, Billy (Lindsey) Barr, Andy (Rayna) Barr, Beverly Vogel, Brandon Barr, Owen Barr, Wyat Barr, Crystal Romine, and Kayleigh Roane; 17 great-grandchildren; two nephews, and one niece.
Allen was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary; daughter, Belinda Roane; grandson, Jeremey Roane; and a brother, Gene Barr.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at Barkes, Weaver &Glick Funeral Home on Jonathan Moore Pike; the Reverend Roy Hendershot will officiate.
Family and friends may gather for a time of visitation from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday and from 10 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the funeral home. Allen will be laid to rest at the Garland Brook Cemetery. Full military honors will be presented by the Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard.
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Online condolences and special memories may be expressed, and a video tribute can be seen at barkesweaverglick.com.
