Stephen Lynn Carr

Steve served in the Air Force for over 20 years in the communications field and retired as a non-commissioned officer (MSgt). Throughout his military career, he completed multiple overseas assignments and held numerous leadership positions and was recognized by the Air Force level for his managerial effectiveness. He was a key contributor in many high-profile activities, including the recovery and analysis of the Space Shuttle Columbia accident in 2003, and he also facilitated encrypted communications critical to establishing command and control in the hours and days after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Steve was widely known for his empathetic leadership, rock solid judgment, dependability, integrity and decisiveness. He was a role model for his troops, and he cared deeply about each and every person on his teams. Steve leaves a legacy of leadership through the many airmen he mentored and served with in the United States Air Force.

Transitioning to civilian life, Steve leveraged his knowledge in the IT and networking fields and was employed in the nuclear power industry. From 2007 to 2011, Steve Carr worked for NextEra Energy at the Duane Arnold Energy Center nuclear plant where he led cyber security and IT programs as the IT Group Manager and later as the Fleet Cyber Program Manager. During this period, Steve helped to bring 5 nuclear power plants into cyber security compliance and co-authored National Cyber Security Regulations to include NEI 08-09, NEI 10-04, NEI 10-09, as well as NextEra Energy’s NEI License Submittal for cyber security. In 2012, Steve joined the consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton and worked there until his retirement in 2019. During his tenure, Steve served as a Senior Associate, Principal and then as a Vice President for the firms’ Commercial Energy consulting business. Leading the Utility Consulting practice, Steve led teams of consultants nation-wide and was responsible for assisting Power Utilities in implementing and maturing their cyber security programs.

Steve was loved by all who came to know him. He cherished every friendship and relationship fostered. He had an infectious laugh and a way of befriending people. He treated everyone as equals and always found a connection. To this day, he was good friends with his veterinarian, pest control serviceman, Dominican Republic butler and concierge staff, dentist, pharmacist, poolman, and countless coworkers. He had a unique way of telling a story and capturing the rooms attention. While he strived to keep it under wraps, it was hilarious when his East Texas accent would present itself! He touched so many with his good nature, kind heart and good deeds. Steve left an unforgettable impression with so many, and his light will forever shine on.

He had a special place in his heart for animals. He had numerous pets in his past including his best friend Ohna, a black poodle he got while in Italy. While she is no longer with us, he wanted her ashes buried with him. Today, he has five other “fur-babies” that miss him dearly and howl when you mention “Where’s Steve?” The apple of his eye was his baby, Bella, who to this day sleeps on his back pillow on his recliner. She misses her daddy. While he was not a hunter, he was also deer whisperer. Whenever he would walk outside, literally 20 deer would come running to our property and he could reach out and touch them. His hunting friends envied him!

Steve and Brenda traveled all over the U.S. to watch his favorite country music performers in concert such as Garth Brooks, Dierks Bentley, George Strait, Miranda Lambert, Kenny Chesney, etc. However, his true love of music was classic country and the likes of Johnny Cash, Don Williams, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard and George Jones to name a few. While Steve himself could not sing a tune, he was rather entertaining while attempting to do so!

Steve was an avid reader and Amateur Radio Operator (HAM). He spent countless hours supporting his local HAM radio club and mentored friends and co-workers expressing interest in the hobby. Steve loved fishing and spending time out at the lake on his boat, where he entertained family and friends.

Besides unconditional love, humor was at the heart of his relationship with Brenda. They did everything together and were seldom apart. True soulmates and best friends while supporting each other’s careers. Both he and Brenda were highly emotionally intelligent and could read each other like a book and knew exactly what the other was thinking. Not a day went by without laughter and acknowledgement of how blessed they were to have each other and the life they built. He gave her the world and together enjoyed beach vacations to destinations such as Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and his favorite, the Dominican Republic. To Brenda, Steve was her world and always will be.

He was deeply committed and proud of his military service as well as personal and work accomplishments. True to his giving nature, he was able to donate his brain and spinal cord to the Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neuro-degenerative Diseases as he had a rare, treatable brain condition called Autoimmune Encephalitis and Traumatic Brain Injury. He wanted to help those struggling for a diagnosis like he did and avoid the misdiagnosis that was common for this condition. While Steve’s passing was unexpected, he fought to the bitter end and will forever have a place in our hearts.

Stephen was preceded in death by his parents W.E. (Eddie) & Martha Carr and grandparents O.M. (Boots) & Beatrice Harris.

He is survived by his devoted, loving wife, Brenda; children, Brandon Carr and wife, Ashley (granddaughters, Madison, Olivia, and Emma), Stephen B. Carr, and Stephanie N. Carr (granddaughter, Addilynn); stepchildren, Matthew R. Merta and Ashley M. Merta; and sister, Denise Conaway.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 2021

4:00 PM

PORTER LORING NORTH CHAPEL

GRAVESIDE WITH FULL MILITARY HONORS

SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2021

2:00 PM

STARR CEMETERY

COUNTY ROAD 118

ELKHART, TX 75839

The recording of the service can be viewed below: