Yoakum – Fritz George Wilhelm Barre, 79, a Yoakum civic leader, died early Monday, Feb. 18, 1985 in Yoakum Catholic Hospital following a long illness.

Born Nov. 1, 1905 in DeWitt County, he was a farmer and rancher and the grand president of the Hochheim Prairie Insurance Company from 1945 to 1971, when he retired. He was the son of Bernhardt and Anna (Behrens) Barre, German immigrants who came to this county in 1884 and 1885, settling in the Morris School vicinity.

He was past president of the Yoakum Chamber of Commerce where he was the first recipient of the Paul F. Gustwick Award, presented annually to an outstanding citizen.

Also, he served as Tom Tom parade chairman for many years, and was past president of the Yoakum Independent School District Board of Trustees, of which he was a member for 18 years.

M. Barre was past president and a longtime member of the Yoakum Rotary Club, a member of the Yoakum Industrial Foundation and the Sons of Hermann, Farm Bureau, South Texas Chamber of Commerce and the Southwest Cattleman's Association.

Also, he was a member of the board of directors of the Bluebonnet Youth Ranch, where land was donated from the Barre estate to aid in establishing the ranch.

On Nov. 7, 1937, he was married to Marguerite Liebhafsky of Shiner in the United Dr. Martin Luther Church with the Rev. W.C. Wolfsdorf officiating. The couple made their home in Yoakum and resided their (sic) continuously. His wife died Nov. 6, 1980.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church with the Rev. Leland Diekoff officiating.

Burial followed in the Oak Grove Cemetery under the direction of Buffington Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Chester Lawrence, Herman and Buck Barre, Leslie McGehee and Jimmie Buske. Honorary pallbearers were members of the Yoakum Rotary Club.

Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Carolyn Armstrong of Yoakum; two sons, Thomas G. Barre and John Paul Barre, both of Yoakum; two sisters, Mrs. Daniel (Johanna) McGehee of Yoakum and Carolina Wilson of Shreveport, La.; and four grandchildren.

Besides his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Henry C. Barre, Jan. 31, 1963; Herman Barre, in 1950; and Bernhard Barre, World War I casualty; and three sisters, Miss Helen Barre, in 1922; Frieda Barre, in 1911; and Miss Anna Helene Barre, Apr. 8, 1981.

Posted by Matt Cross
Submitted by Brenda Lincke Fisseler

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