The roofing industry is mourning the loss of James “Jim” Barr, president of Barr Roofing Company and a former president of the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association. He passed away Aug. 12, 2025 at the age of 72.

Born March 30, 1953, in Abilene, Texas, Barr attended Cooper High School from 1967 to 1971. From 1971 to 1975, he attended the University of Texas, where he served as president of Sigma Phi Epsilon.

Barr’s father formed a roofing company in 1964, with Barr working on roofs in the sheet metal department during summer breaks in high school. After graduating from the University of Texas, he worked full-time for his family’s roofing company. In 1993, Barr became a minority shareholder of the family company, eventually becoming its president, owner and operator.

His leadership extended beyond the roofing business. He served as MRCA President from 2001 to 2002 and as NRCA Chairman of the Board in 2017. Barr served as the NRCA’s chairman of the board-elect from 2016-17 and NRCA vice chairman from 2012-14 and 2015-16. He also was a member of NRCA’s board of directors from 2009-12 and 2014-15.

MRCA expressed its condolences in an email, noting the association recognized Barr with its highest honor, the James Q. McCawley Award in 2011. The National Roofing Contractors Association also bestowed its highest honor, the J.A. Piper Award, to Barr in 2024. The NRCA credits Barr’s work with training programs as the impetus for what has become the ProCertification program, which offers national certification in nearly a dozen types of roofing systems.

Outside of the roofing industry, Barr served on numerous boards, including the Military Affairs Committee. His obituary notes he was a lover of music, especially rhythm and blues, and founded the Key City Rhythm & Blues Festival, which ran for four years beginning in 2015. He served as a deacon at the Abilene Community Church of Abilene. He embraced life with the motto, “Laissez les bon temps rouler,” which translates to “Let the good times roll.” 

Visitation will be held Aug. 20, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Hamil Family Funeral Home in Abilene. A celebration of life will be held Aug. 21, at 10:30 a.m. at The Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest. Memorial contributions may be made to Hendrick Hospice Care or The Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest.