Theodore Maurice Barr, DVM, died Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007, at Lake Winona Manor, Winona, Minn. He was born on Feb. 3,1911, in Detroit, to Maurice and Maryann (Ross) Barr. Dr. Barr attended Northeastern High School. He graduated from Detroit City College/Wayne State University in 1933, and from Michigan State University with a degree in veterinary medicine on June 15, 1937. He married Mary Daniel on June 19, 1937. Dr. Barr served as a captain in the Army Air Corps during World War II and earned a master's degree in public health specializing in epidemiology, from the University of Michigan on the GI Bill in 1948. He was the Oakland County Health Department veterinarian for 30 years. Among his accomplishments was the rabies vaccination of all dogs in the county. In 1952, Dr. Barr opened his own veterinary practice, Suburban Veterinary Hospital, with two veterinarians on staff. He added Meribar Pet Supply in 1963, which his wife operated, and a second hospital and pet supply in 1978. In 1946, Dr. Barr and his wife built a home in Pleasant Ridge, where they were active members of the community for 32 years. He served as a city commissioner and was elected for five terms as mayor. They were lifelong members of Drayton Avenue Presbyterian Church, and later attended the Congregational Church when they moved to Presbyterian Village Retirement Center in 1988. Dr. Barr moved to Lake Winona Manor, Winona, Minn., in 2006 after his wife's death. For 20 years, he entertained family and friends as Santa Claus, delivering gifts to children and plates of cookies made by his wife for friends. He also was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, and later joined the clown unit for parades, visits to hospitals and schools, and the annual Shrine Circus. Dr. Barr loved dancing, his wife's famous desserts, dinner parties, playing cards, traveling and clowning around. Always the gentleman, he charmed children, pets and the ladies. He is survived by his son, Daniel (Carol) Barr, M.D., Fountain City, Wis.; daughter, Debbie (Elliott Thompson) Barr of Concord, Mass.; grandchildren, Fred (Diane) Barr of River Falls, Wis., Danielle (David McGrath) Barr of Minneapolis, Minn., Katherine Thompson of Berkeley, Calif., and Susannah Thompson of Concord, Mass.; five great-grandchildren; brother- and sister-in-law, George and Violet Daniel of Southfield; and numerous nieces and nephews. Dr. Barr was predeceased by his wife, Mary; his sister, Margaret Sivy; and grandson, Eric Barr. An interment service will be held in June at Acacia Park Cemetery, Southfield.
Published in The Daily Tribune on January 4, 2008.
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