CARL EUGENE “GENE” KERR

Carl Eugene Kerr was born to Clarence H. and Marie (Olson) Kerr on July 26, 1932, on a farm near Watson, Missouri. He attended grade school at West Bend and Rupes Grove before entering the 5th grade at Rock Port Elementary. Gene is a 1951 graduate of Rock Port High School, Rock Port, Missouri. After spending 21 months in the United States Army (14 months of this time in Korea) Sergeant Kerr returned to further his education by attending two years at Tarkio College, Tarkio, Missouri.

On December 18, 1955, he was united in marriage to Frances F. Curry and they made their home in Rock Port. To this union, three children were born; Carla Jean, Dennis Leroy and Kirby Joe. Gene and Frances were proud of their 58 years of marriage.

Gene and Frances owned and operated the IGA food store in Rock Port from 1957 to 1970. Gene worked as manager of the Mini Mart in Craig, Missouri, and Trails End at Rock Port. Gene and Frances also owned and operated the Bait and Bottle store from 1983 to 1987. He spent 23 years with the United States Postal Service and retired in 1996 as postmaster of Warsaw, Missouri. He was a 28 year veteran of the Rock Port Fire Department, where he served as First Assistant Chief. Gene was also a member of the Ralph Greer American Legion Post #49, Rock Port, where he served as a past Post Commander, and he was a member of the First Lutheran Church, Rock Port.

After the death of Frances in 2013, Gene moved to Auburn, Nebraska, to be closer to his daughter, Carla, and her family. Gene loved his family unconditionally. He was very proud of his children, grandchildren and great-granddaughters! Gene had mastered making beef jerky. He enjoyed sharing it with his family and others. He also enjoyed gardening and sharing the extra produce with family and friends. Gene passed away Sunday, February 10, 2019, at his home in Auburn, at the age of 86.

In addition to his wife, Frances, and his parents, Gene was preceded in death by brother, Donald Kerr and his wife, Virginia, and daughter-inlaw, Whitney Kerr. Survivors include daughter, Carla (Rory) Mason, Auburn; sons, Dennis (Jackie) Kerr, Wichita, Kansas, and Kirby Kerr, Fayetteville, Arkansas; sister, Joan Bucy, Waukesha, Wisconsin; seven grandchildren, Christina (Rick) Kerr Comstock, Zachary (Christina) Kerr, Jennifer (Michael) Kerr Nguyen, Kaitlyn Kerr, Sara Mason, Derek Mason and Laszlo Kerr; two great-grandchildren, Lauren Elizabeth Kerr and Rylee Jean Bos; brother-in-law, Harry Yungschlager, sisterin-law, Darlene Banasik; and many nieces and nephews.

In Gene’s words, “It has been quite a ride!”

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service was held Friday, March 8, 2019, First Lutheran Church, Rock Port.

Inurnment: Linden Cemetery, Rock Port

Memorials: First Lutheran Church, Rock Port