Gary Karr (Veteran)

Mr. Gary August Karr, age 63 years, of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away Wednesday, August 31, 2011, at Capital Region Medical Center with his wife by his side. Gary "Coach" Karr was born on February 6, 1948, in Jefferson City, Mo., the son of Geraldine and Lloyd Karr. He was married on August 20, 1983, at the Central United Church of Christ in Jefferson City, Mo., to Judy Kay Wiegers. A lifelong resident of the Jefferson City area, Gary was a 1966 graduate of Jefferson City High School and a 1970 graduate of Lincoln University with a degree in Agriculture. He served in the United States Army Reserves and attained the rank of Captain. Gary was employed with the Missouri Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education in the Department of School Food Services from April 12, 1972 until his retirement on March 1, 2010. After retirement, he worked part-time at Wal-Mart. Gary will long be remembered as an avid sports enthusiast. Most of Jefferson City's young men who have gone through the football program will remember Coach Karr of the Green Team. Gary devoted 40 years as a coach and touched so many of our city's youth through the seventh grade football program. In the last couple of years, he was a proud scout for the Southern Boone football and baseball programs. He enjoyed his time scorekeeping for the Lincoln basketball and football teams. Gary was a huge Mizzou, Cardinals, Chiefs and Rams fan. In the summer months if you ran into him and a radio was nearby, the Cardinals were always on. Gary and his family were all involved in sports whether it be football, basketball, softball or baseball. After the games you could always count on the "Coach" to give a play-by-play. Besides being a sports enthusiast, Gary was an active member of Central United Church of Christ where he was the head usher for 38 years. He was also involved with the Boy Scouts Troop 5 when his sons were scouts. Gary never met a stranger and whether he knew you or not, he always had a joke to tell. Gary is survived by his wife of 28 years, Judy Karr, and their children: Geoffrey and Lauren Karr of Columbia, Mo., Lucas and Tori Karr of Ashland, Mo., and Jenna Karr of Jefferson City; one brother, Stephen and wife Carla Karr of Steedman, Mo.; his mother-in-law, June Wiegers, and his father-in-law, Weldon Wiegers; three sisters-in-law, Bonnie Henson and her husband Sam, Camilla Wiegers, and Jill Distler and her husband Donald; seven nieces and nephews, Jennifer Ennes, Becky Heutel, Chrissy Peters, Jason Karr, Julie Carroll, Samantha Henson, and Josh Distler. He was also happily awaiting the birth of his first grandchild, Baby Karr, to Geoff and Lauren Karr in April 2012. He was preceded in death by his twin daughters, Kassie and Kaitlyn Karr; and his parents, Geraldine and Lloyd Karr. The family would like to give a special thanks to family friend, Nancy Dubbert of Jefferson City, Mo., for all her help. Visitation will be held at the Central United Church of Christ from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday, September 2, 2011. Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 3, 2011, at the Central United Church of Christ with the Reverend Dr. Stephen Buchholz officiating. Graveside services and interment with military honors will be held at Riverview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Central United Church of Christ, March of Dimes, or the American Cancer Society. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com