These beautiful, natural springs are dedicated to Jeri Barr who was one of the founders of Candlelight Ranch. In 1999, she, along with her husband, Don, and her brother-in-law, Randy, decided to turn their lakeside property into a camp for children.
Jeri 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 facilities, and building relationships with organizations in the community. In March 2002, while reflecting on her experiences at the retreat, she wrote, “I am always amazed at how the people visiting the ranch give more to me than I ever could imagine giving to them.”
Jeri was born in San Antonio, Texas into a large, Catholic family. She first fell in love with Austin when she attended the University of Texas at Austin. Throughout her life, she had many interests including nutrition, spirituality, yoga, running, meditation, and spending time with her family and friends. She loved the beach and sitting beside the ocean. She cared deeply for children, and had a unique ability for making people feel special and loved.
After losing both of her parents at a young age, she aspired to never take life for granted and to live life with gratitude, purpose, kindness, and meaning. She hoped that she could use her life to leave the world a better place, and Candlelight Ranch gave her an outlet for that mission. In October 2004, she wrote in her journal about Candlelight Ranch, “I feel very blessed to meet all these wonderful people. I am humbled by their generosity and encouraged by their strength.”
In 2007, after spending years working with individuals who were struggling with life-threatening illnesses, Jeri was diagnosed with breast cancer and successfully went into remission prior to her death on May 5, 2008. Jeri was 51 years old, and true to her joyful nature, she arrived on a holiday, July 4th, and left us on a holiday. She believed that every day could be a celebration.