Ralph Barr Obituary

Ralph was a talented multi instrumentalist and a generous supporter of the Long Beach music scene. He is missed.

The Namm show wasn't the same with out you this year cousin. Every time we turned around we were talking to one of your friends.

Was just thinking about Ralph the other day. Miss his stories and being in church together.

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

I am so sorry to hear the news about Ralph. My thoughts And prayers are with you at this time.

I had the honor to get acquainted with Ralph at a grange hall jam in Eugene, OR, some years ago when I was an aspiring fiddler. We did an instrumental and vocal duet of Cluck Old Hen, a moment I'll not forget. It solidified my commitment to immersing myself in fiddling and Old Time music. I was always a huge fan of the Dirt Band and it blew me away that I had the opportunity to jam with a founder. Lucky me, I get to play often with Ralph's brother, Keith, another amazing talent.

Ralph and I exchanged emails between 2011 and 2014. He seemed genuinely honoured that someone from Australia knew who he was and appreciated his talent. I really liked Ralph - he knew so much about music and had a gentle quirky humour. He'll always be missed

Always a pleasure jammin with ya. See ya in the jam band in the sky!

I am so saddened for our loss of Ralph. He was a gentle man with amazing musical skills and a soulful voice. He once performed for me in church a song by Kris Kristofferson, Why me Lord. It was one of the most powerful songs I had ever heard him sing. I felt honored to know him and to see him each Sunday. Ralph has a vast knowledge of the Long Beach area and its history and we enjoyed his stories. I will really miss him and hope all of you find some peace in your fond memories of him.

I met Ralph in 2011 when I decided to pick up the guitar after 32 years of not playing. Ralph was my guitar teacher for the past 9 years and I found him to be a great teacher and a really great guy. We spent many hours, decomposing chords on the guitar and I am truly grateful to Ralph for the wisdom that he imparted and for just being a nice person to be around. I will miss him and I think of Ralph whenever I pick up the guitar, which is every day.

Ralph at BBQ at Pastor Tom Dykhuizens Patio

Ralph at Knotts Berry Farm

Ralph at friend a Beth Paxtons house for Christmas Cookie Exchange party

Ralph in his back yard with the Sunflowers

Ralph playing in the Group at Emmanuel Presbyterian Church

I Just wanted to share a few memories of Ralph through the Zoot Frisbee & Co. band years-
There was so much more to Ralph than most people would know, but he was always open minded and great to converse with. A real down to earth musician that shared everything he could with his talents as a musician and true friend. We already miss you Ralph.
God's Speed till We Meet Again...
Marty & the Band

So sad to hear this! I was always amazed by my big cousin's talents. Loved spending week ends with my Aunt and Uncle listening to him and his brother play and sing. Love you Ralph

Ralph was like a brother to me. I enjoyed playing my old accordion for him this last January.

I met Ralph at McCabes in 1964, I was 11 years old. Ralph was a 16 year old guitar teacher there, and played in a jug band. As a kid, I was all about guitars and music, and Ralph was happy to have a follower who idolized him. As we both grew older, the relationship grew into a great friendship. I was happy to meet his girlfriend, Holly, and after they were married, we all played music together, had long talks about religion, and the world in general. Ralph and Holly were not only good friends, but I considered them mentors. I will miss my friend Ralph, as I miss Holly, who preceded him. I will miss his gentle way, and his sometimes goofy humor. I will cherish all of the memories that I have, from the beginning, to the end, the good, the bad, and sometimes indifferent...because Ralph was Ralph. I Love you my Brother, and Godspeed...I hope that you are resting peaceably, with old friends who have preceded you into heaven.

I knew Ralph since the 1980s and sang with him in the Praise Band at Emmanuel since 1993. Ralph was faithful friend and a follower of Jesus Christ.
He loved playing music with his friends and had many students that he taught to play banjo, guitar and mandolin. It was always fun to spot him with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band singing Hand Me a down That Can of Beans when watching Paint Your Wagon.
He had more stories than anyone Id ever met and was blessed with contentment.
He is missed and will continue to be missed until we are together again.

RIP old friend.

I will miss you Ralph, I will cherish the 10yrs at Emanuel Presbytery and car pulling together and our playing together in the worship group, the songs that we played together in the last couple of years acoustic playing showed me your gifted talents, my favorite song Ill take with me will be the resting place , because thats were you will be. God Bless RSVP

dedicate a song for you, Resting Place!!!!

Ralph was like a brother to me. I am so glad I got to see him in January and play the accordion at his place.

Oh dear Ralph. I loved how brilliant he was at music but so modest. Never heard him complain. A mellow sweet soul. Heaven must be loving on him now. Thank you for sharing your self with us. Crystal Rockwood

I ran into Ralph at a placecalled Fendies in Bixby knolls around 2007, He said, don't I know you? He looked familiarbut I didn'tremember. We wound up jamming at his house once week from then up until about three years ago when my arthritisgot so bad I had to quit playing. We found out that we had crossed paths way back at a place in Gardena CA called the Blue Law around 1969 then later at the Houseof the Rising Sun in Redondo beach, CA, and again when he worked at McCabes guitarshop in Long Beach. As they say it's a small world. He was one of the best human beings I have ever known and a great guitarplayer. We played quite a few places and had a whole lot of fun. He had that country whit to his guitar licks that I just loved. We played all kinds of musical Genres, Blues, Country,Bluegrass and Swing Jazz. Man we had some good times. I loved him likea brother, May he rest in peace and God bless..!

My condolences to Ralphs family. Ralph was a friend of mine, and in many ways I considered him a part of my family. I am going to miss giving Ralph a call just to chew the fat, and never really solving the worlds problems, but feeling better anyway. I will especially miss our conversations about music. His knowledge of music was amazing. And I have to say, I will most of all miss our weekly jam sessions. Friday nights was something I looked forward to just to sit and play some music with Ralph. He made me a better musician just listening to his solos and chord changes.

I am going to really miss you Ralph, but I am sure you are in a good place. However there is a void left behind that I feel, and most likely by many others whose lives you have touched. I will try my best to fill that void with the many good thoughts and memories I have of you.

Sincerely,

Richard S. Leon

Ralph was a kind person and a great musician. Every Friday he would get together with his friends and play and my family could hear their music session from across the way. It was like a free acoustic concert every week just for us. I will remember those moments forever. Whenever I said goodbye to Ralph, he would always respond by saying "alright, you be good." Wherever you are Ralph, I hope you are happy and that you are good. Rest in peace.

Ralph we were Blessed with your presence in our lives,Kay,your mom said that we were your extended family and that was an honor.You were gifted with your musical skills and you Praised the Lord by singing at Emmanuel Presbyterian Church.You got Famous as a Movie Star and as a Blue Grass performer.We always ❤ Love you and we will miss you. Jack & Stephanie Angel

Ralph Barr has been a long time friend who was more like a family member and a brother to me (Marty Smith),
Ralph was a great musician and shared his talents with many other musicians. He was a member of my band "Zoot Frisbee & Company" for over 6 years. We performed at local coffeehouse throughout Long Beach California as well as a few clubs in the area.
Ralph was also a member of our church worship band (Emanuel Presbyterian Church) as was I for the whole time I was there and remained a member of the worship band up to the end.
Our love of music held us together in a bond with the entire band. We spent many weekends together having BBQ's or just at Ralph's mom's apartment playing cards.
These moments and memories will last forever for me and my wife Linda.

Goodbye Ralph. Thanks for being so nice, and for your musical talent that you generously gave to the world. Peace be with you.