Obituary of Gerald Kenneth Carr

November 24, 1930 - Father's Day June 16, 2013

Devoted husband, loved father, cherished grandfather, doting great-grandfather, and true friend. With his family gathered around him, Gerry Carr gently passed away at 4:32 pm on Father's Day, Sunday, June 16, 2013, at the East Kootenay Regional Hospital at the age of 82.

Gerry was born in Innisfail, AB on November 24, 1930. He spent the first 15 years of his life on the family farm working with his father, two brothers and mother to make a living during very hard times. He rode a horse to school at the little Grayhamston school. However, the teacher was such that he was little prepared for the school in town. After trying very hard to pass grade 10 he left and started apprenticing as a gas fitter in Calgary. He didn't like it so he bought a semi-truck in Innisfail and went into business for himself. He planned on eventually becoming one of the largest trucking companies in Alberta, unfortunately, he went broke. He moved to Calgary and went to work as a cabinetmaker at Calgary Furniture Shops. That company also went broke so he moved back to Innisfail as a partner with Bill Kirkham in the building trade. At the same time, he was apprenticing as a movie projectionist. In 1954 he moved to Cranbrook to work as a projectionist in the Armond Theater for Harold and Jerry Parnell while at the same time building houses for Harold Collinson. In 1960 Gerry started his own company, G.K. Carr Construction Ltd, and continued to build for 40 years. He retired only when he was diagnosed with CML, a form of leukemia, and given 3 weeks to 6 months to live. In business, he was driven by his own high standards for quality and honesty and was loved and respected by clients and the men who worked with him.

Gerry married Renee Thomson on July 8, 1953.Together they raised Renee's orphaned brother, Michael and sister, Frances with much love and care. When Michael and Frances were out on their own, Renee and Gerry started their own family. Deborah was born, followed by Melody who was only theirs for a week before God called her home, and finally Ian, 7 years after Deborah. Gerry also felt blessed to have the opportunity to spend much time with his grandchildren and great granddaughter imparting his wisdom and love. Over his 59 years of marriage there have been countless young people coming and going through the house, rarely a day went by without the sounds of young voices and he was "Papa" to all of them. He felt proud that people considered his to be a home you can walk into day or night, be welcomed with open arms, and treated as one of the family. How appropriate that Gerry should leave this old world on Father's Day, because he has been a father figure to so many.

Gerry loved Cranbrook and the surrounding area. From a young boy he loved to hunt, fish, hike, camp, and snowmobile. One claim to fame was that he had climbed every mountain in the East Kootenay with the exception of Fisher Peak and that was because there were no goats up there. His children and grandchildren have spent most long weekends and Sunday afternoons hiking, camping, and fishing with him. In spite of the diagnosis of leukemia 20 years and 4 months ago, Gerry had managed to outlive many of his hunting and snowmobiling friends. Now that he has gone to be with the Lord what a day of rejoicing it will be meeting up with friends and family again. Gerry was so looking forward to being free of his cancer ridden body and meeting his Savior face to face.

Gerry leaves behind to miss his wise council and tender ways, his wife of 60 years (on July 8, 2013), Renee, his daughter Deborah, husband, Bill (Boswell), son Ian and wife Tammy, five wonderful grandchildren, Brittani (Shaun) Sarton, Keaton Boswell, Tyler Carr, Jacob Carr, Tavin Boswell, and one great granddaughter, Kaia Sarton who, according to Papa (Gerry) "could do no wrong"; his brother Earl (Karen) Carr, nephew Lorne Carr and daughter Samantha, nephew Kevin (Tracey), niece Jacalyn and son Greg, niece Susan (Troy) Jamieson and children Katelyn, Cole, Danielle, Lane, and Shay, niece Michelle (Randy) Anhorn and children Milanie and Joshua, nephew, Stephen (Tegan) Bova, children Levi and Summer, niece in law Sherry Bova, and children Matt and Cassidy, niece in law Andrea Bova, and children Jager and Eden, nephew Ken (Pam) Thomson, children Breanna and Legion, nephew David (Cheryl) Thomson, daughter Harper.

Gerry was predeceased by his infant daughter, Melody, mother Bertha, father LeRoy, older brother Jack and his wife Doreen, brother in law, Michael Thomson, sister in law Francis Bova and her husband Dick, and nephews Blair and Michael Bova.

Gerry was a dad first and foremost. He was quiet and full of class with a wonderful sense of humour. His home was always open, especially to the young people who all knew him as "Papa". He had a wonderful zest for life and he will be missed by everyone that knew him.

A Celebration of Gerry's Life will be held at the Cranbrook Alliance Church on Sunday, June 23, 2013 at 3:00 pm. . In lieu of flowers, donations in honour of Gerry can be made to: Youth Unlimited, Stepping Up - Dad's Program, Suite 115, 12975 - 84th Avenue, Surrey, British Columbia, V3W 1B3.

As a growing number of women raise their children on their own, that lack of a father figure within families is at an all time high. Built on the success of Stepping Stones' programming for pregnant and young women, Stepping Up reaches out to neglected young fathers in the community. Outreach workers journey with these young men who lack male role models and access to practical help. We work with them to help them be the best dad, husband, and friend they can be. We teach them how to become committed fathers who play an important role in the lives of their children. We are dedicated to stopping the cycle of a fatherless generation.

Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Service.

Condolences for the family can be offered at:

www.mcphersonfh.com