Shawn Barr Obituary – Death: In Loving Memory of Shawn Barr: “Today we move in peace to a climate that is less harsh and air that is purer.” The 15th of February, 2023 was the day that our doting husband, father, son, brother, cheerleader, friend, and champion departed from this earthly existence.
Rumi once said, “I realized that every mortal will taste death, but only some will taste life,” and these words continue to resonate with me. Despite the fact that Shawn’s time on earth was cut far too short, he made the most of every single one of his 53 years.
On November 4, 1969, in Salt Lake City, Utah, Shawn Justin Barr was born to his doting parents, Pamela and Randy Barr. His birth was attended by many family and friends. Shawn spent his childhood in Salt Lake City, where he was constantly exposed to new experiences, both indoors and outdoors. Shawn enjoyed nothing more than following his older brothers, Bill and Brandon, around to watch them have fun (and get into trouble), and he also enjoyed giving his younger sister, Amber, her fair share of lovingly torturing him. His loving mother, Pam, ensured that there were always plenty of hugs, love, and sandwiches available in the house. Playing Church Ball and being very involved in Scouts are two of Shawn’s favorite childhood activities and memories. Shawn, a proud Eagle Scout, was unable and unwilling to quit earning merit badges after completing the minimum 21. Instead, he earned more than fifty, which prompted the Bishop to consult with him and make sure everything was all right. The Bishop, just like the rest of us, came to the realization that Shawn’s achievements were nothing more than the fruit of his unquenchable thirst for knowledge and the opportunities life presented him with. The praise was not really important.
Brandon, Shawn’s older brother, uprooted his family and relocated to Los Angeles when Shawn was 17 years old and a senior in high school. Shawn opted to fulfill his mother’s desire to graduate from high school a bit early, took the GED exam, and then drove to California in Brandon’s CRX. He did this because he did not want to fall behind in his peers’ educational pursuits. Shawn’s time spent as an employee at the City National Bank location on Wilshire Boulevard was among the most formative moments of his life. After being away for a year, Shawn moved back to Utah and enrolled at Dixie State. Shawn had a special fondness for the school’s slogan at the time, which read “Dixie: An Academic Environment,” although it is unlikely that this was the reason the school intended it to be appreciated. Shawn found his passion for flying airplanes while he was a student at Dixie, and he decided to pursue a career in the piloting industry. Shawn moved on to complete his Bachelor of Arts degree at Westminster College after completing the requirements for his Associate of Arts degree there. After that, Shawn completed an internship with Barkin Aviation, then went on to work for Air Med, Jet Charter, and Skywest until landing a job at Delta in 2000. This brought him one step closer to achieving a lifelong ambition of flying for a large commercial airline. Shawn worked with Delta for many years, rising through the ranks to become a First Officer and then a Captain on the 757 and 767 aircraft. He also served as a Delta Flying Instructor on the 757 and 767 aircraft operating out of Atlanta. Shawn’s most recent flight had been on an A320 operating out of Salt Lake, and he was looking forward to his next flight, which would be an A330 operating out of Seattle.
In 2005, Shawn tied the knot with Jennifer, the woman he had known since college. Shawn is thankful for the time they had together, despite the fact that they later got a divorce and continued their friendship afterward. Shawn first met Erin in 2015, and ever since then, the two of them have been on an incredible journey together. The year 2018 saw the couple exchange vows in the Tuscany region of Italy. Visitors were frequently either awestruck or irritated by the couple’s excessive affection for one another. A mutual friend of theirs recently remarked that the two of them shared the BIG love. In the year 2020, against all chances and in what can only be described as a miracle, the couple was blessed with the birth of their lovely son, Jack Justin. Since the moment Jack was born, Shawn and Jack have been practically inseparable with one another. Even though Jack could spend time with his mother, he understood that spending time with his father was where he would have the most opportunities to have fun, feel special, and experience interesting things.
Shawn dove headfirst and with full force into anything and everything that piqued his interest. This included (but was not limited to) activities such as golfing, collecting and restoring antique cars, developing and investing in real estate, cycling, skiing, fishing, adventuring, reading, and furthering one’s education. In the year 2019, Shawn had the great opportunity of joining with his longtime buddy to launch Bonneville Speed Shop, an automobile restoration business that offers a comprehensive range of services. One of the numerous skills that Shawn possessed was the ability to encourage other people to realize their dreams, follow their passions, and overcome their self-doubt. It was astonishing how much effort he put into cherishing and cultivating each of his connections, especially considering how many friends and loved ones he had. Shawn devoted his entire life to looking out for and providing for the needs of other people. We can only imagine how much it would have meant to him to have experienced even a small portion of that during his time on earth.
Shawn is survived by his adoring wife, Erin and their 2.5 year old son, Jack. His mother Pam, his siblings Bill (Lora), Brandon (Janice), and Amber (Mike), and his step-siblings Gordon (Sheila), Tracie (Mykel), Jannae, Launa (Mike), Victor (Jan), Angela (Matt), Camille (Brian), and Elisa. His mother Pam, his siblings Bill (Lora), Brandon (Janice), and Amber (Mike), and his step-siblings Gordon ( (Carie).
Shawn’s “Aunt” Margie Yribar, his biological father Randall Barr, his step-father Larry Bryson, his step-mother Joann, and a large number of other relatives and friends who are too numerous to name all passed away before him.
On Thursday, February 23, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, there will be a celebration of life held at Starks Funeral Parlor, which is located at 3651 South 900 East. Visitors are strongly recommended to park on the north side of the building and enter through the entrance located there.
In place of flowers, we ask that you kindly consider making a contribution to the 529 college savings plan that has been established for Jack. https://gift.my529.org/YV598W
Because of the passing of the guiding light in our lives, things will never be the same again. We want to treat other people with kindness and strive to improve so that we may make Shawn proud of how we live our lives and how we treat others. May you finally find rest, my sweetheart.