Richard E. Kerr, Sr. 81 of Clearfield died on Feb. 11, 2012 at Clearfield Hospital.
He was born on Aug. 12, 1930 in Clearfield, a son of the late Foster W. and Mary E. (Mann) Kerr.
Mr. Kerr was a graduate of the Clearfield High School class of 1948 and represented the Bisons as a runner-up at the state wrestling championship that same year. He was a very active member of the St. John Lutheran Church, Clearfield.
Mr. Kerr spent much of his life with the military. He enlisted with the Army National Guard after graduation and mobilized with Alpha Battery, 200th Armored Field Artillery to Fort Campbell, KY for active duty during the Korean Conflict. He returned with the unit to Clearfield and eventually became First Sergeant. His civilian job was a unit administrator for the same guard unit. In the mid-1960s he transferred across town to the 4th Battalion, 8th Field Artillery where he was a First Sergeant and eventually accepted an appointment as a warrant officer. At the time of his retirement in 1990, CW4 Kerr was the Personnel Officer and his civilian position with 4th Bn 8th FA was Senior Staff Administrative Assistant. He was a member, and past commander, of the Clearfield American Legion John Lewis Shade Post #6, as well as a member, and past president, of Tri-County chapter #053 of the Reserve Officers Association. Mr. Kerr was also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Lodge #540, Clearfield.
Other than military service, his life revolved around the family farm on Clover Hill in Clearfield and his passion for the land and farming was clear to everyone who knew him.
He is survived by three children:
Richard E. Kerr, Jr. and wife, Carol A. of Shippensburg, PA
Michael Kerr and wife, Paula of Clearfield
Dr. Cynthia A. Myers and husband, Jeffrey of Crossville, TN
Seven grandchildren:
Capt. Richard S. Kerr (USAF) and wife Rachel, Kathleen Kerr, Lieut. John A. Kerr (USAF), Michael P. and Benjamin Kerr, Connor and Kiara MyersÂ
Brother:
William M. Kerr and wife Carolyn, of Camp Hill, PA
Several nieces and nephews,
And a friend:
Peggy Jo Dunsmore of Clearfield
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Gloria Kerr, whom he married August 30, 1953; and two brothers John B. and James F. Kerr.
Funeral services will be held at the St. John Lutheran Church, Clearfield on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Robert J. Way officiating. Interment will follow in the Hillcrest Cemetery, Clearfield.
Military honors will be accorded at the cemetery by the members of the Clearfield VFW and American Legion Post’s Honor Guard.
Friends will be received at the Kevin A. Beardsley Funeral Home, Clearfield on Tuesday from 2-4 & 6-8Â p.m. and at the church on Wednesday from 10-11:00 a.m.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to American Cancer Society, 26 S. Second Street, Clearfield; the St. John Lutheran Church, PO Box 1454, Clearfield; or to the Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256.
To sign the on-line guestbook go to www.beardsleyfuneralhome.com.
