Joseph Daniel Barlar

BARLAR FOLEY, AL Dr. Joseph D. Barlar, age 90, a native of Columbus, GA. and a resident of Foley, AL passed away surrounded by his family May 5, 2016. Joe was a loving, caring and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was a dedicated and compassionate Optometrist who had formerly resided in Mobile and had practiced there for 65 years. He will be sadly missed by his family and many friends. He enlisted in the navy at 18 and he was proud of his wartime service aboard the USS Southerland. Dr. Barlar was equally proud of his ship’s reputation and service in the Pacific, Tokyo Bay and later during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He was active in the Southerland’s Member Association and was one of the ship’s last surviving plank owners. Dr. Barlar was a lifelong sports enthusiast and enjoyed many diverse sporting events, including boxing, fast pitch softball, Braves baseball and SEC football. He aspired to become a coach when he enrolled at Troy State Teachers College, now Troy University, immediately after the war. While at Troy Joe’s career plans changed dramatically after meeting the love of his life, Anne Hadley. They married in September, 1948 and he graduated from the Northern Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago the following year. Anne and Joe shared 67 wonderful years of marriage together. Dr. Barlar was a lifelong outdoorsman and naturalist. He enjoyed and shared traditional outdoor activities with family and friends as well as his personal enjoyment from bird watching, tending his garden and sunning on the back porch. Dr. Barlar had a strong Christian faith and was active in the church. He served as a Deacon and Elder at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Mobile and was currently a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Gulf Shores, AL. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Grace Barlar; a son William Frederick Barlar, brother, James K. Barlar and sister, Dorothy L. Goodman. Survivors include his wife of 67 years Anne Hadley Barlar, children: Danny (Terri) Barlar of Mobile, Rebecca (George) Lyons of Gulf Shores, six grandchildren: Hayleigh Barlar, Jennifer (John) Kennedy, Daniel Barlar, Joseph Barlar, Rachel (Lee) Williams, Allison (Chris) Britt, great grandson: John Joseph Kennedy and one great granddaughter, Lily Maryann Williams: many other relatives and friends. Funeral service will be held from the chapel of Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home, Foley, Monday, May 9, 2016 at 10:00am. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 9:00am until the service time. Graveside services and interment will be held in Uriah Cemetery at 1:00PM. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to First Presbyterian Church of Gulf Shores, 309 East 21st Avenue, Gulf Shores, AL 36547 ARRANGEMENTS BY WOLFE-BAYVIEW FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY, INC. 2551 S. MCKENZIE STREET FOLEY, AL 36535 (251)943-2391 www.wolfefuneralhomes.com