Services for Johnny R. Barr, of Petal, a native of Vidalia, Louisiana, will be Saturday, April 1, 2017, at 11 a.m. in Riverwood Family Funeral Service chapel with burial in Riverwood Memorial Park.

Visitation will be today, March 31, 2017, from 5 until 9 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mr. Barr, 65, died Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans. He was born Dec. 3, 1951.

Ever the patriot, Barr served five years in the United States Army, including a tour in Vietnam.

Mr. Barr’s career led him to oil patches throughout the United States. Over 40 years ago, he began with New & Hughes as a roughneck before advancing to work with Coho Resources. He went on to serve as a drilling superintendent with Denbury Resources in Laurel where he oversaw drilling operations for Mississippi and parts of Louisiana. At the pinnacle of his career, he was promoted to drilling manager in Plano, Texas, for Denbury Resources’ US operations.  He rounded out his career as a consultant with Continental Resources.

Mr. Barr was known to everyone as not only a great man and strong business leader — but also as a true friend. You knew he considered you a friend if he greeted you with, “Hey, bub!” He gave his life to the Lord on Dec. 17, 1998. While he held his beliefs close to his heart, he was also very passionate about sports and politics. If anyone was brave enough to mention either subject, they had better have the time to listen.

To express your thoughts to the family, you may visit riverwoodfamily.com and click on his name to leave a comment.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Billy and Lee Barr; and his daughter, Michelle Barr.

Survivors include his wife, Sherry Henderson (Sasser) Barr; his children, Leigh Ann Byrne, Joey Barr, Tyler Barr and Hannah Barr Monroe (Brian); his stepdaughters, Kim Sasser Jones (Mark) and Karen Sasser Vest (Johnaton); his sister, Betty Barr Breithaupt; his brother, Tommy Barr; his six grandchildren; a great granddaughter; a host of nieces and nephews; and numerous extended family and friends.