KRIS Barr was not whole without the sky.
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And yesterday it was noted he would be with it forever as more than 500 family and friends gathered to celebrate the pilot’s life at Burrumbuttock’s Holy Cross Lutheran Church.
His loved ones laughed through tears as they remembered what they described as Mr Barr’s determined, cheeky and humble nature.
But what touched many were Mr Barr’s last words to his wife Toni.
“He said ‘I love you, we make a great team’,” she said.
“And we did.”
Mrs Barr said it was her husband’s love that gave her strength.
Mr Barr, 42, died tragically last month in a light plane crash at Burrumbuttock.
Pastor David Grulke said Mr Barr was doing what he loved — flying.
He is survived by his daughters Nikki and Sam who bravely spoke of the hole their father’s passing had left in their lives.
Friends and family who gathered outside the church entered to light candles that surrounded some of Mr Barr’s greatest loves, a bag of honey soy chicken chips, Turkish Delight chocolates, a can of Canadian Club whisky and, most importantly, pictures of his wife and daughters.
Mr Barr was remembered as a husband, son, brother, father and friend who lived life to the fullest.
His best friends Ross O’Brien and Jon Ellis said Mr Barr was in his element when he was flying through the sky.
Mr O’Brien laughed as he reflected on Mr Barr’s extensive collection of memorabilia and toys from the Disney film Planes.
“He would get antsy on a Sunday afternoon if he hadn’t gone flying,” he said.
“He was my closest friend and I am eternally grateful for the time I spent with him.”
Mr Barr also had a love for music and his guitar, recognised in tribute by the Jeff Healey Band song While My Guitar Weeps.
Eric Clapton’s Tears In Heaven was also played during the service.
His brother, Cory Barr, said there were no limits to what Mr Barr would do for his family.
“Kris would always tell me when I was doing stupid stuff,” he said.
“He told me what I should be doing instead.
“He was my best mate.”
Mr Ellis looked over the congregation which had spilled outside the church gates and said Mr Barr wouldn’t have believed everybody was there at the service for him.
Mr Ellis said Mr Barr told him you did not always get what you wanted in life.
“But Kris was determined,” he said.
Mr Grulke said Mr Barr chose to live a life that mattered.
“It’s not about the number of people you know but about the lasting impression you leave on them,” he said.