Thomas Robert Carr

Tom was born to Philip and Elsie Carr, in Long Beach, CA on January 25, 1924. He graduated from Ventura High School in 1941 and attended Ventura Junior college before enlisting in the Navy. With the support of the Navy, he attended Stanford University, Colorado College and finally graduated from UCLA with a degree in Physics. Tom ran track at both Stanford and UCLA and was the team captain at the latter. He received his commission as an officer in 1944 and returned to UCLA in 1959 ultimately receiving his Masters in Meteorology.

Tom left active duty but remained active in the Naval Reserve until 1971, ultimately achieving the rank of Navy Captain. After his active duty career, he joined the federal workforce at the Pacific Missile Test Center, Pt Mugu CA and had a varied and successful career as a meteorologist and manager for many programs until his retirement in 1980.

TomBob, as he was known to many, had a lifelong interest in the Boy Scouting programs and was a member for 80+ years. He has been recognized with several local and national scouting awards beginning with his Eagle Scout award in 1940 as a member of Troop 103 sponsored by First Christian Church in Ventura. His leadership awards included the local Silver Beaver Award (1964), the regional Silver Antelope Award (2000) and the national Distinguished Eagle Award (2005). He was also the inspiration and driving force behind numerous scouts, his sons, and grandsons achieving their Eagle Scout awards. Through scouting he indulged in his love of the outdoors, hiking, backpacking, and camping. In addition to many scouting outdoor adventures, over a 30 year period he also logged well over 1000 days hiking more than 7,000 miles and was still actively camping into his 80’s. He passionately supported the Ventura County Council’s summer camp at Camp Three Falls near Frazier Park, CA since his first visit in 1933. Tom loved the comradery of the scouting program and eagerly took part in national and international scouting events and jamborees as well as being a vigil member of the Order of the Arrow and earning his Woodbadge beads. He was always willing to give his time to the program holding many leadership positions as a scout and as an adult. While in the Navy, he volunteered to be the ‘scouting liaison’ in his local area and later held positions as Scout Master, Asst Scout Master, Committeeman, High Adventure Chairman and various Council positions.

Tom and his family were long time members of the First Christian Church in Ventura. The church was very important to him and he even incorporated services into his scouting backpack trips on Sunday morning before hitting the trail. He sang in the church choir for over 40 years and was also a member of the Gold Coast Community Choir. He had a big heart for those in need and was very generous with his time and money supporting many charities such as Project Understanding. He was also a long time member of the Ventura Breakfast Lions club.

Tom was blessed with a loving family. He married his wife of 66 years, Joan Marie McVay, on December 16, 1944 in Ventura, CA. Tom is survived by his daughter Barbara Cranfill, and son Thomas (Robin) of Camarillo, CA; daughter-in-law Leilani Carr of Temecula, CA; grandchildren Jarrett (Lacey) Carr of Glendora, CA; Allison Carr of San Diego, CA; Erin (Jack) Brooks of Reno, NV; Adam Carr of White Salmon, WA; Ian Carr of Truckee, CA; Amy Carr of Huntington Beach, CA; and great grandchildren Roland & Maya Carr of Glendora and 2 more great granddaughters due in the next 2 months. He was preceded in death by his wife Joan (2011) and their son Philip (2015).