Joffa Kerr

Joffa was born on December 10, 1935 in Nacogdoches, TX. Her father Arthur Gemar was a geophysicist for Shell Oil. Her mother, Lillian Thomason was an art teacher who taught on Indian Reservations and in the Norman Public Schools.

Joffa graduated from high school in 1954 in Wichita Falls, TX. She chose to attend the University of Oklahoma after meeting a group of OU students on summer vacation in Red River, New Mexico. Arriving in Norman, Joffa decided to study interior design and pledged Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. Near the end of first semester in 1955, a Kappa sister introduced her to Bill Kerr. They were married in Wichita Falls on August 4, the following year.

Joffa and Bill both continued their studies at OU, by the time he graduated Law School, they were a family of six and had decided to live in Norman. Along with being a full-time mother, Joffa was a campfire leader, and PTA president. She also began private art studies.

By the late 1970’s, the Kerr’s were commuting to Oklahoma City for various activities and moved North. Oklahoma City brought new responsibilities for Joffa. She served two four-year terms as a State Regent for Higher Education and was building a successful art career, sculpting wildlife bronzes and marketing them in galleries throughout the United States.

Joffa’s art activities prompted the Kerr’s to move to Wilson, Wyoming in 1982. They remodeled a pre-war log cabin which became a summer vacation home for their family, and gathering spot for friends. Joffa’s prominence as an artist was confirmed in 1997, when Southwest Art Magazine selected her as one of five in its first-ever Notable Women of the Year issue.

In 2014, a Joffa sculpture was accessioned by the Oklahoma Arts Council for the State Art Collection displayed on the first floor of the Capitol Building.

Predeceasing Joffa were her parents, daughter J.J. and son David Kenworthy. Joffa is survived by husband Bill, daughter’s Kavar, Mara, and God-daughter Karla Keller. Grandchildren, Ayla, Graycen and Whitney Mashburn. Great Granddaughters Tyler Grayce, Caroline Blake and Aubrey Kate Mashburn.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested memorial gifts be made to Gemar Curatorial Internship Program, National Museum of Wildlife Art, PO Box 6825 Jackson, WY 83002.