David Dean Karr

Dave was a graduate of Cherry Creek High School (1971). He received a B.A. degree in business from the University of Puget Sound (1975) in Tacoma, WA. Dave received his J. D. from Loyola University College of Law (1979) in New Orleans, LA. While in law school, he clerked for the law firm of Wahlberg and Pryor. Upon passing the bar, Dave was admitted to practice in Colorado, the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit and the United States Supreme Court. He began practicing with Pryor, Carney & Johnson, P.C. and was a founding member of Pryor, Johnson, Carney, Karr, & Nixon, P.C in 1995. He practiced with many of his partners for 35 years. Dave was a member of Denver, Arapahoe County, Colorado and American Bar Associations, the Colorado Defense Lawyers Association, the Defense Research Institute, and the Colorado/Denver Medical Societies as a Member of the Inter-professional Committee. He was also bestowed a membership with ABOTA, the American Board of Trial Advocates, which is dedicated to the preservation of the civil jury trial, a right guaranteed to all citizens under the Seventh Amendment. Dave has been a guest lecturer at University of Colorado Health Sciences Center on medico-legal issues and a Lead Attorney with the ABA Post Conviction Death Penalty Project. Dave practiced in the areas of civil trial practice, professional medical malpractice defense, federal and state court tort and trial practice, health law and personal injury defense. As a trial attorney, he was recognized as one of the very best at what he did, being selected repeatedly by his peers as a Colorado Super Lawyer. Those who knew and worked with Dave, as well as those who opposed him in medical malpractice litigation were uniformly impressed by the thoroughness of his preparation, the effectiveness of his advocacy, but above all the depth and integrity of his professionalism. As they grieve his loss, Dave's clients and colleagues will remember and celebrate his kindness, sense of humor, professionalism, and extraordinary dedication to his family and clients.

Dave was a loving and devoted husband and father. He leaves behind his wife of 32 years, Laura, his daughter, Emily Karr Farchone (Bryan), and his son, Bradley Foster Karr of Denver. He is also survived by cousins, Paula Karr, of California and Bill Ransbottom, of Ohio.

Visitation and a memorial service will be held at Olinger Chapel Hill Mortuary & Cemetery in Centennial, on Saturday, September 13th. Please visit with the family starting at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Olinger Chapel Hill, followed by the memorial service at 11:00 a.m. Memorial contributions are suggested to Project Cure or Save the Children.

Dave was proud to be a member of ABOTA, and he exemplified the ideals of supporting the advancement of lawyers through the development of courtroom trial skills and advancing the ideals of civility, integrity and professionalism. In Dave’s memory, ABOTA has established the Dave Karr Scholarship Fund. Those wishing to contribute should make checks payable to “The ABOTA Foundation” and send directly to 2001 Bryan Street, Suite 3000, Dallas, Texas 75201. Note on the purpose line “David Karr Education Fund.” Contributions will qualify as 501(c)(3) donations. All contributions will be utilized for the Dave Karr Scholarship Fund and used for education purposes in Colorado.

Arrangements under the direction of Olinger Chapel Hill Mortuary & Cemetery, Centennial, Colorado.