Larry Barr
Larry Fred Barr passed away peacefully on July 8, 2024, at Mayo Clinic Health System with his wife, Sheila, by his side.
He was born on Oct. 20, 1945, to Fred and Bernyce Barr of Greenwood. He graduated from High School in 1963. After high school he worked for his father and mother at Barr Minkery outside of Greenwood. He also served in the Wisconsin Army Reserves.
His first business venture was operating “The Barr” at Rock Dam in Willard. He left his hometown roots and headed to Eau Claire, where he started his entertainment legacy. In 1969, he opened “The Barr” on one of the highest hills overlooking the city of Eau Claire. It was then and there he met his wife, Sheila. They were married 44 years on July 5.
In 1972, Larry purchased two buildings side by side on Water Street and renovated them and opened the doors of She-nannigans and Papa Bears. Shortly after he opened Fanny Hill Supper Club & Dinner Theatre. Fanny Hill then included the “Top of the Town” disco lounge, the first in Eau Claire. Along with the disco came SAMM, (Sound Around Music Machine). Another LB Production, was the Fall Pumpkin Fest that took place at Fanny Hill. He opened Houligans Bar and Restaurant in 1975. Houligans became a popular hangout for the business, sport and older college clientele. In 1981, Larry, with the help of his family, opened Fannies’ Supper Club and Motel in Neillsville. In 1986, Larry and his wife Sheila opened the doors to the Otter Creek Inn.
The Wisconsin Restaurant Association was one of his passions. He was honored to serve as president of the WRA and met many friends at their meetings throughout the state.
In 1987, to draw more customers to Fanny Hill, he started the Shake, Rattle and Roll Festival which took place in the Fanny Hill parking lot. Chubby Checker was the headliner and the first VIP area had four park benches in the front of the stage. With the huge surge in country music, Larry decided to become not only a creator but now a producer, thus the beginning of Country Jam USA 1990. At that time, the Shake, Rattle and Roll Festival also moved down the hill to the grounds along the Chippewa River. After selling his businesses during different time intervals, he moved on and created Country Jam USAin Lake Geneva, then moved the site to Twin Lakes, and changed the name to Country Thunder USA. In 1993, he created Country Thunder USA in Queen Creek, Ariz., which later moved to Florence, Ariz.
In 2008 and 2013, he launched another unique adventure: Halloween Hollow. It took place in Twin Lakes and Eau Claire.
In 1997, Larry’s Country Thunder USAwas awarded the Country Music Association CMA nominee Event of the Year.
During the Christmas season at Fanny Hill, many free dinners were given to families with special needs children and senior citizen groups. He always made sure Fanny Hill’s in-house Santa (George Horan) and Mrs. Santa Claus (Margret Martin) were there to hear everyone’s request for a much-wanted present. Also, every year he purchased the collectible Santa bears from Prange’s at the London Square Mall and had Santa deliver them to every child in the hospital. He will be dearly missed by all who admired and loved him.
Larry was preceded in death by his father and mother, Fred and Bernyce Barr, and many of his beloved “buddies,” his dogs, which were many throughout his years. He is survived by his wife, Sheila, of 44 years; brother, Tom (Betty) Barr; sister, Patti (Steve) Denk; brother, Scott; and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, July 28, 2024, from 1-4 p.m. at Lilydale Event Center in Chippewa Falls. Luncheon and beverages will be served. Please wear a T-shirt, hat, etc. (if you still have one) from one of his bars, restaurants, festivals or softball teams. There will be a lot of sharing of stories from those “Good Ol’ Days”!
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to: Bob’s House for Dogs (online at bobshousefordogs.org); Eau Claire Animal Shelter or Camp Chetek (online at campchetek. org), a Christian-based summer camp for children.
PAID OBITUARY 155815
