Samuel Ellis Kerr

Samuel Ellis Kerr, of Lilburn, Georgia, 61, died June 2, 2025, with his wife, nieces, and son by his side.

Sam was born on August 2, 1963, in Decatur, Georgia, the son of Frederick W. Kerr, Jr. and Norma Brumley Kerr. He graduated from Southwest DeKalb High School in 1981, and from Gwinnett Technical College and Total Technical Institute with diplomas in computer hardware technology and telecommunications, beginning his 30-years-plus career with computer and various electronic equipment diagnostics and repairs.

Sam had a strong work ethic, begun in his early teens as he earned income by traveling across Georgia to fill vending machines with snacks, landscaping, and car repairs. He also built computers out of his home at one time. He earned numerous certifications on various computer equipment and processes over his career, and never stopped learning new mechanics and equipment. At work and at home, he had a knack for being able to fix anything, and he loved working with his hands.

Sam met his wife Betsy in 1999; they married in 2003. Sam and Betsy enjoyed travel of all kinds, especially if historical stories and architecture were involved, or the beach! Their fondness for trains, planes, and ships led to many train excursions, tours of battleships, aircraft carriers, and submarines, and trips to lots of flight museums. The excitement of deep sea fishing embellished trips to the beach. Sam, a left-handed redhead, was proud of his Scottish heritage, and he and Betsy delighted in a trip to the Clan Kerr seat in Jedburgh, Scotland. Sam had interests as diverse as ancient Egypt, mysteries and crime investigation TV shows, 1970 Camaros, keeping their yard and shrubs well-groomed, and how to prepare burnt ends. He and Betsy had fun searching for the best steak and seafood restaurants, watching documentaries on TV, and leaving sticky notes for each other. Sam found solace in strumming the guitar.

Sam made friends easily, often interrupting encounters with sales people, CPAs, or other business people with conversation unrelated to the issue at hand. He had a soft side that only the people closest to him knew. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by his devoted wife Betsy Maddox Kerr; son Zachary of Woodstock; nieces Melissa (Jeremy) Penton of Griffin and Rebecca (Troy) McDaniel of Social Circle; great-nieces and nephews Ashton (Blake) Collis, Amber and Mia Penton, and Mati, Tristan, Blakely and Briggs McDaniel; and sister Rebecca Kerr of Hoschton. A private memorial service will be held at Norcross Global Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Piedmont Healthcare Foundation, Atlanta (https://www.piedmont.org/about-piedmont-healthcare/foundation-andgiving/overview/piedmont-healthcare), or Project Recover (www.projectrecover.org).