Donald Barra

Donald R. Barra, 86, died peacefully at his home in Port Orchard, Washington on December 28, 2000. He leaves behind a loving family, who will greatly miss him. He was born in Sonora, California on September 20, 1914 to John & Margareta (Bronsone) Barra. He married his wife of nearly 60 years, Pauline Martin, on June 1, 1941 in Buena, Washington where they met while employed as teachers.Don enjoyed a long and impressive career as a teacher and principal in Washington State for 37 years. In addition to Buena, he spent 3 years in Onalaska, 9 years in Mossyrock, and 24 years in the South Kitsap School District as principal of Orchard Heights Elementary. More than 30,000 elementary students received the benefit of his guidance during their formative years. His amazing ability to remember thousands of names and birthdays was always a delight to his students while in school and for many years after they left Orchard Heights.During this time, he was a member and officer of several educational affiliations including Phi Delta Kappa. In 1963 he traveled to Europe with 90 other educators to study their educational systems including Norway, Sweden and Denmark, plus Russia, where the group was at the time of president John F. Kennedy's assassination. He shared his trip with pictures and lecture to many local groups upon his return.Upon retiring in 1976, he and his wife traveled exclusively with the Jet Set Travel Club. Their travels included 6 trips to the Bahamas, cruising the Carribbean and the Inside Passage to Alaska. His other interests included golfing (including 3 holes in one), dancing and being an avid sports enthusiast and supporter. He followed the success of the South Kitsap athletic teams for many years and played sports in his younger years.Don was a member of Elim Lutheran Church, Port Orchard Eagles, Bremerton Elks, and Sons of Norway. He was a life member and past master of the Masonic Lodge and past Rainbow Dad of Port Orchard Assembly #61. He also served on the South Kitsap School Board and belonged to the Port Orchard Kiwanis. He was an active community supporter and was the third Captain Nemo for the Port Orchard Fathoms of Fun.Surviving are his wife Pauline; daughters Judy (Howard) Fleming of Maggie Valley, North Carolina and Joyce (Kirk) Peters of Lakewood, Washington; grandson Howard (Jan) Fleming of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; granddaughter Deborah (Dennis) Gaynor of Monroe, Connecticut; and great grandsons HJ and Ben Fleming, and Ryan Gaynor.Visitation Saturday, December 30, 2000 from 9am to 4pm and Sunday, December 31, 2000 from 1 to 3pm at Rill Chapel in Port Orchard. Memorial Service Tuesday, January 2, 2001 at Elim Lutheran Church in Port Orchard with interment following at Sunset Lane Cemetery in Port Orchard. Memorials may be made to the Don Barra Memorial Scholarship, c/o South Kitsap High School, 425 Mitchell Avenue, Port Orchard WA 98366, or Hospice of Kitsap County, P.O. Box 3416, Silverdale WA 98383. Special thanks to Jack Cook and to nurses Heidi and Shelly of Hospice.