John Harvey Carr

John Harvey Carr was born January 15, 1927 in Napoleonville, Louisiana. He slipped from this life into the next early on the morning of September 20, 2022, at the age of 95, in San Antonio. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 1st, at 3 pm at Park Hills Baptist Church, officiated by Michael Pinkston and Cody Caywood. Reception following.

John was one of six children born to Leroy and Bessie Carr. He grew up helping his family farm near Crystal Springs Mississippi. In 1944 at age 17, he joined the US Marines, was assigned to the 1st Marine Division, 46th Replacement Draft, and sent to Okinawa. There he suffered near-fatal injuries in combat and almost lost a leg. After his rehabilitation he received an honorable discharge and then enrolled in Mississippi State College on the GI Bill, earning a degree in Electrical Engineering. He married Sylvia Buckley Mackey in 1949, and soon afterwards they moved to Southern California in hopes of finding employment. John found a job with Jeffries Transformers and later took a start-up VP position with Dura Vent Corporation in the Bay Area. All of their children were born in California.

John wanted to open his own business, so he moved the family to San Antonio in 1962 where he opened a hardware store. That effort fizzled, so he entered a partnership with an old friend in a small auto parts store on the near west side of the city. Later he opened his own auto parts store which thrived, and all five children and several cousins worked there for many years. He built custom homes for a while, and he loved RV-ing and took his family on several trips around the country and into Canada.

John is survived by his amazing loving wife of 73 years, by their five children: Eric (Rhonda), Rick (Cindy), Susan (Richard-a true brother), Tim (Kristi), and Scott (Erica); 12 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

Words cannot describe what John has meant to his family. He was a solid and stern father who worked hard to provide for us and get ahead in life. He and Mom took us to church every Sunday, and they both modeled Jesus Christ in their daily lives. He had a strong but quiet faith. He was a generous man and helped many people in need, privately, so as not to attract attention. In his last years he loved being a greeter at his church on Sundays.

He never met a stranger. He was funny, entertaining, humble, and keenly intelligent, and he brought us laughter and love. His life was well-lived and honored God. His influence was profound, and his departure has left a hole in our hearts.

In lieu of flowers - John’s favorite charity -The Christian School at Castle Hills. http://weblink.donorperfect.com/castlehills