Leslie Barr

To finish out this last BIRTHDAY WEEK I want to recognize my maternal grandfather, Leslie Barr.

Papa (as we called him) was born on August 2, 1915 in Cornwall, New York. He was the fourth son of Matthew Barr and Jane Matthews. They had just imigrated to the states from Liverpool, England bringing the two oldest (Matthew and Robert), Daniel having died in a fire before papa's birth. Papa also had a younger sister, Margaret.

Leslie met Rozella Jensen in Southern California when they both worked at the movie theater. He was an usher (handsome in his uniform!!) and Nana sold the tickets. He lied and told her he was two years older than he was and she lied and told him she was two years younger. For many years they did not know how old they really were. They fell in love and eloped, being married on December 6, 1934.

They had four children born to their union, Elizabeth Jane (my mother), Leroy Stanley, Leslie Ann and Kent Matthew.

I was their oldest grandchild and have many fond memories of happy family get togethers.

Nana was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (the third generation) but Papa was not. After they were married for 44 years Papa was finally ready and decided to get baptized as a Christmas gift for the family. Two years later he took Nana to the temple. In January of 2000 we were all in the temple together doing work for his parents. It was a wonderful day. He told me on that occasion that the only thing he regretted in life was waiting so long to be baptized. Papa died on April 30, 2000, just 3 months after our wonderful day together.

Papa would have been 95 this year. I am thankful for the great heritage I come from and hope I can pass on a wonderful legacy to my grandchildren as well.