John Gladden Barr

John Gladden Barr, age 86, of 101 Broad Street, Bridgewater, died Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, at Bridgewater Home.

He was born July 24, 1938 in Myrtle Point, OR, and was the son of the late Rebecca (McKonly) and Francis H. Barr, Sr.

He graduated from Manchester College (IN) in 1960 and from Union Theological Seminary School of Sacred Music in New York City with the SMM and SMD degrees in 1962 and 1977. He married Anna H.B. Lootsma in 1965 who preceded him in death in 2012 after a marriage of 46 years and one month.

He taught music at Hillcrest School for Missionary Children in Jos, Nigeria W. Africa, was Organist and Director of Music at the University Presbyterian Church in Madison, WI before joining the faculty of Bridgewater College retiring in 2003 as Professor of Organ and Piano. He was organist at the Bridgewater Church of the Brethren during most of his time at the college into retirement. He was a composer of choral and organ music, much of the latter being published commercially by the H.W. Gray Co. and by Wayne Leupold Editions.

He is survived by his daughter, Rebecca Ann Barr Simmons of East Grand Forks, MN, along with his son-in-law Kevin Simmons, two grandsons, Gareth Scott Simmons and Colwyn Gray Simmons; and a son, John A Barr of Chicago, IL.

His memorial service will be held at 2 PM at the Bridgewater Church of the Brethren on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025.

Memorial contributions may be made to Bridgewater Church of the Brethren Disaster Fund and Bridgewater College.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Johnson Funeral and Cremation Service, Bridgewater. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.johnsonfs.com