Dale Barr, much loved father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, passed away at home on October 14, 2021.
Dale was born on February 18, 1954, at Schurz Indian Hospital to the late Donald Barr, Sr. and to Justine Sam Barr.
Dale attended school at McDermitt Combined School and graduated in 1972.
After High School, Dale attended Job Corps at Kicking Horse in Montana.
Dale enjoyed the outdoors, spending time with his grandchildren, and watching them play sports. He enjoyed helping his sister at the ranch doing cattle work and offered to help during haying season.
He would ask his friends to come along because they also liked ranch work.
Dale valued his traditional upbringing highly. When he had an opportunity, he would speak of the elders who had passed on and of their teachings. He was always interested in the Paiute history and especially in his own family history.
When he would speak of the elders, he would call them in their Paiute names.
Dale attended Boise State University and studied Diesel Mechanics.
He was interested in taking apart diesel engines and learned about hydraulics, diesel motors, and setting the proper pressure, temperatures, etc.
He was a certified diesel mechanic and worked at Gilbert Western in Winnemucca Nevada.
He also took a course in Federal Indian Law while at BSU.
Dale was interested in tribal politics and was appointed vice-chairman.
After the resignation of the tribal chairman, Dale became chairman of the Fort McDermitt Paiute-Shoshone Tribal Council. Dale was active in the Upper Snake River Tribes which consist of several tribes of the region.
Dale was invested in preserving the Paiute-Shoshone cultural heritage. In 1998, he received the Land Surveyor Certification.
In 2004, he attended a cultural advisory training and performed such services for the Tribe.
He became Tribal Liaison and served this role during the construction of the Ruby Pipeline.
Dale participated with other elders in the WayadeagaApegan language workshop and shared his knowledge of Paiute words and placenames. With Thierry Veyrié he also helped translate old tapes that were in the Paiute language.
Dale also respected and honored Veterans and was given the task of setting flags on Veterans’ graves during Memorial Day.
Dale was preceded in death by his father Donald Barr Sr., his brother Donald Barr Jr., another brother Dallas Barr, and two infant brothers Justin and Blaine; his maternal grandmother Elsie Crutcher Sam, grandfather Joseph Sam, paternal grandfather Dewey Barr, grandmother Marion Brown Barr and two children Dale Barr Jr. and Dalena Barr. Dale is survived by his mother Justine Sam Barr, sisters Justina Marion Paradise, Debbie Ann Bronson, and Candace Mae Barr.
He is also survived by his children Billy Bell, Shelley Harjo, Carrie Barr, Jared, Kristen, Lavon, Kesley, Sheila, and Delson.
He is survived by many great-grandchildren, grandchildren, nephews and nieces.
Viewing was held on October 20, 2021 at his home in Ft. McDermitt. A Traditional Sunrise Ceremony was held followed by burial at the Ft. McDermitt Cemetery on October 21, 2021.
