The Rev. Canon John Barr, retired priest of the Diocese of Upper South Carolina, died Oct. 8 in his home in Columbia, SC. He was 78.

Canon Barr was born in Charlotte, NC. He attended North Carolina State University and the University of the South. He was ordained priest in 1952. He served parishes in Cheraw and Columbia, SC; and Hendersonville, NC. He also served on the boards of St. Christopher's Camp, Kanuga Conference Center, and was a trustee of St. Mary's Junior College, Raleigh, NC, and the University of the South, Sewanee, TN. Canon Barr was deputy to four General Conventions and was three-time president of the standing committee of Upper South Carolina before being named honorary canon of Trinity Cathedral, Columbia, in 1985. He retired in 1986. Canon Barr is survived by his wife, Nell, a son, the Rev. John M. Barr, III, a daughter, five grandchildren, and a sister.