May 30, 2020. The family is so blessed that he lived to be 99.5.
He is survived by his caring and loving wife of 43 years, Carol Rebecca Carr. J. David was fortunate to
have raised two wonderful families. His children are John D. Carr, Jr. (Patricia), Birmingham, AL; Allison
Laura Carr, Otis, CO; Justin Shawn Carr (Kimberly), Canton, GA; and Joshua Daniel Carr (Chantal), Jackson Hole, WY. He also had 12 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren and many adoring nieces and nephews.
In his final years, he lived in Woodstock, GA, and made many friends with neighbors and folks in the
community. He was a Poll Manager for many elections until he was 93. He also wrote a book about his
experience in the Navy during WWII. He enjoyed attending Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Buckhead
and the Heritage Sunday School class. He enjoyed his trips to Mexico Beach to share time with his family
and all ages of grandchildren. He enjoyed fishing with his son John and grandsons. His love for golf was
lifelong. He and Carol were able to play many great courses in the USA and Scotland. David enjoyed
skiing even in to his 80’s. He had in his life hit a hole in one and also bowled a perfect game. He was able
to travel to Wyoming to visit Joshua and enjoy the Tetons and the art in Jackson. He loved to attend
ceremonies celebrating Justin as a Police Officer and Veteran. Even though Allison and family weren’t
able to visit he was so proud of their accomplishments and dedication to each other. J. David was a
strong Christian and was a prayer warrior. His favorite Psalm was the 91st. He and Carol thanked the
Lord every day for his long life.
BSIE ‘42. J. David Carr’s expertise in the Steel Industry has sent him around the world as one of the foremost experts with an ability to start up new plants and operations. Soon after graduation he was hired at U.S. Steel’s operation in Youngstown, Ohio . After working as an Industrial Engineer in several promotional levels he joined the U.S. Naval Reserve as an Ensign and was assigned to an Admiral’s Staff in the Pacific as a Research Engineer. After WWII was over he left the Naval Reserve as a Lt. (Sr. Grade) and obtained his Professional Engineer status. Later he graduated from Law School and obtained a Juris Doctor Degree and passed the Bar in Ohio. Back at U.S. Steel, he also received promotions going from Chief Industrial Engineer at Canton, Ohio, and Youngstown District operations. He later received promotions to Superintendent of Rolling Mills at Youngstown and McDonald Bar Mills and Strip Mill.
The next promotion was to Steel Operations in Lorain, Ohio, and then to General Superintendent Irwin Works in South Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. In 1968, J. David was appointed General Superintendent of South Works located in South Chicago, Illinois, the largest structural steel plant of USS. In 1969 J. David was appointed General Manager of U.S. Steel’s Gary Works in Gary, Indiana where he combined two plants into one. This combination gave the Gary Works the distinguishment of being the largest steel plant in the United States with over 28,000 employees producing more than 10 million tons of steel per year. Later, J. David was moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and held several Vice-president positions including all the Industrial Engineering for the entire Corporation and then responsibilities for building and the start up of a plant in Taiwan as well as developing market strategies in 35 foreign countries as well as the USA.
J. David was listed in the Who’s Who in the East 1986 - 1990. He was a member of the Iron & Steel Society and Iron & Steel Institute. In 1971, he presented a paper at the Annual Institute Meeting in New York and was the recipient of the Institute Medal Award for his paper.
While J. David was in college at Ohio University he was a Sophomore Class President as well as Advertising and Business Manager for the Post. He was Chairman of the House of Delegates, a member of J. Club and Tapped for Torch. He was a member of Sigma Pi Fraternity, President his Senior year and member of the Interfraternity Council. He was Phi Eta Sigma, O.U. Engineers, Phi Epsilon Mu and a member of Tau Beta Pi. After graduation with high honors, he became an active member of the Alumni Association and became the Chairman of its Financial Support, receiving an Award from the Alumni Association for raising the highest amount of Finance payments during Chairmanship. In 1959 J. David graduated from Ohio University College of Commerce Executive Program. He also became a member of the Trustees Academy. He was presented with the Certificate of Merit in October of 1975. For over 15 years he served actively on the Board of Visitors of the Russ College of Engineering and Technology and still remains on the roster as Emeritus. The greatest honor came when chosen for the Award of Russ College Academy of Distinguished Graduates in 1998.
After 42 years with U.S. Steel, J David took an early retirement and formed several of his own consulting companies. With his companies, he consulted on Chapter 11 Steel cases, purchased manufacturing plants, formed corporations for clients, and has become an inventor with patent-pending products. He has also served on many corporation boards.
J. David has been active with the Boy Scouts of America for over 60 years. He has served on 10 councils and has held offices both locally and nationally. He has been the recipient of the Silver Beaver and the Silver Antelope Awards.
J. David was also active in the Masonic Order having reached the 32nd degree in a consistory as well as a Knights Templar. He was an Elder in the Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as well as President of the Church Corporation and a Trustee. J. David lead a Church Renewal in 1986 and 1987 which was a great benefit to the church and to the community.
A graveside service will be on November 20, 2020 at 11:30am at Georgia National Cemetery, Canton. The funeral procession will leave from Woodstock Funeral Home, 8855 Main St, Woodstock, GA 30188 at 10:30am. For those unable to attend the service, please visit the following link for the live stream. https://fb.watch/1TXDBf_40u/
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