Candlelight Ranch Founders

The Barr Family

Don Barr

He and his brother, Randy, fell "head over heels" for the Texas Hill country while attending summer camp in Hunt, TX and while visiting their grandparents' farm near Lampasas, TX.

Don spent years as a summer camp counselor and feels right at home sharing his love for the outdoors with special needs kids and their families at Candlelight Ranch. His connection to the land and nature is also reflected in Don's vocation as a real estate broker and investor.

Don believes it is impossible to improve on the peace and magic found in nature and wants every child to have the opportunity to experience just that. "We can make this world a better place by teaching our children to respect the land, as well as one another."

Jeri Barr

Jeri Barr was born on July 4, 1956 and died on May 5, 2008.  She was 51 years old, and true to her happy nature, she arrived on a holiday and left us on a holiday.  She used her life to be a loving presence to all those around her.  She and Don were married in May of 1999 and later that year, along with Don’s brother Randy, turned their mutual love of children and nature into a mission  called Candlelight Ranch.

She helped organize the first Board of Directors and served as President of the Board for five years.  She was instrumental in establishing the early programs and reaching out to the first organizations to visit Candlelight Ranch.  Jeri’s dream was to offer a place where children with chronic or terminal illnesses in particular, could rest and heal and enjoy the beauties of nature.  She will be missed by all that knew her.  

Randy Barr

Co-Founder Randy Barr, Don's brother, is a Director, as well as Construction and Maintenance Supervisor for Candlelight Ranch. He feels the Retreat is so beautiful and peaceful that being there can make the rest of the world disappear and being alive becomes the best feeling in the world. "There are no fears, no worries, no past, and no future -- only the present moment."

Randy is an Asset Manager and is married to Melissa, with five children and five grandchildren. "As I have gotten older, I realize that the really rewarding things for me are family, friends, giving back to my community, and lending a helping hand to those who need it."