Joseph Edmond Carr, passed away on Monday, January 14, 2019, six days after his 98th birthday, at Lakeview Village in Lenexa, Kansas. He was born on January 8, 1921 in Buffalo, New York, to Irish immigrants, Nora (Griffin) Carr and Frank Carr. Joe grew up as an only child in Kansas City, Missouri and graduated from St. Francis Xavier grade school and Rockhurst High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at Rockhurst College in 1942.
At the age of 23, Joe joined the Army Air Corps and served in the Pacific Theater of World War II as a Provost Marshall. He was stationed at Tinian Island Air Force Base in the Pacific where the Enola Gay and Bock’s Car bombers eventually were based. During the war, he also served in Guam, Manila and Tokyo, ultimately achieving the rank of Captain before being honorably discharged.
Following the war, on January 25, 1947, Joe married Marianne Gier, whom he had known all his life. They loved to dance together and enjoyed gathering with their old high school friends for poker and bridge. They lived in Prairie Village, Kansas and were wonderful parents to seven daughters and two sons. For 35 years, Joe worked as a chemist in North Kansas City for Corn Products Company.
Joe and Marianne were faithful members of St. Ann’s Catholic Church for many years. They attended daily Mass nearly their entire marriage. Joe was a regular at Tuesday night Novena and helped run the Men’s Nocturnal Adoration group, later participating in the Continual Adoration program. He still attended weekly adoration until he was 97. Joe served as president of the St. Ann’s Parish Council. Making the Cursillo had a profound effect on Joe’s spiritual life. He and Marianne volunteered their time to numerous charities.
After he retired, Joe and Marianne enjoyed traveling to Europe, and Joe was able to visit his cousins in Ireland. Joe was a dedicated fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and KU basketball team. He was a self-taught mechanic, plumber and carpenter.
Joe and Marianne moved to a cottage at Lakeview Village in Lenexa, Kansas in 2005. They made lots of new friends and loved their new parish, Holy Trinity. Joe provided loving care to Marianne as her health declined from the effects of Alzheimer’s. She passed away in May of 2017 after 70 years of a happy and faithful marriage.
To those who knew him, Joe will be remembered for his Irish wit, his humility, kindness, faith and patience. He enjoyed his family immensely.
Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Marianne, his son, Jim Carr and his daughter, Nancy Carter. He is survived by his children: Jan (Kit) Richards, Lucy (Frank) Markovich, Maureen Carr (Bob Miller), Carolyn (Randy) Curtis, Frank Carr (Max Koster), Peggy (Rick) Kittel and Connie (Bob) Mikelait and daughter-in-law, Margie (Jim) Carr.
Joe’s 17 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren, who knew him as “Banjo” will always remember him fondly.
The Carr family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff at the Lakeview Care Center for loving Joe and caring for him with such kindness these past eight months.
Visitation will be Thursday, January 17, 2019 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at McGilley & Hoge Memorial Chapel at 8024 Santa Fe Drive in Overland Park, Kansas, with a rosary beginning at 6:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, January 18, at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Trinity Church at 13615 W. 92nd St. in Lenexa, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Joe’s name to Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas at catholiccharitiesks.org.
Online condolences may be left at www.mcgilleyhoge.com.
