Eugene “Gene” Kerr

Eugene “Gene” Kerr was born on December 29, 1937 in Davenport, Iowa to Eugene Kerr and Alida Ellis Tabor Kerr. He was a loyal friend to so many. He was loved by all. He lived his life full and died with honor and no regrets. He does not want us to mourn his life, instead all of us who were touched by this passionate quiet man agree to do as he has asked. We will celebrate his life by living ours in this precious moment, rejoicing in the knowledge that our dear friend who loved us so much will always be with us.

Gene went to Davenport High School. Married Helen shortly after and had twins Terry and Tammy. Helen is deceased.

Tammy is married to Rich Crull and they have two children: Jamie Schneider and her husband Matt great-granddaughter Layla. Ashley Crull and great-granddaughter Renae.

Gene and Jan were married September 20^th on his daughters’ birthdays. They have been together for 15 years and say” These have been the best years of my life” Camping, hiking, kayaking and RVing and just exploring the United States. Living the simple life.

He started working at Caterpillar Company in 1958 and worked his way up the ladder to becoming plant manager. He retired from CAT after 31 years as Plant Engineer in manufacturing and as a training supervisor. He went back to work for Caterpillar as a supervisor in Mt. Clements, MI.

Gene was president of the Clinton County Sheriff’s Reserve and received firearms training. In 1996 he was employed by Victoria Palms Resort in Donna, TX overseeing and organizing mew computer systems and helping with general administration.

In Retierment, Gene worked at Palisades-Kepler State Park in Iowa and for the Iowa Department of Natural Resource at Pleasant Creek Recreation area in 2001. His love of mature and the outdoors adventure was shared with Jan. He spent summers as Campground Host with Jan at Lake Ouachita State Park, his favorite park in the whole world. He went on kayak overnight trips on Lake Ouachita several times and loved the outdoors.

He did volunteer work with SCAT, Glenhaven Youth Ranch, and the Rice Depot and served on HSV Public works for 7 years. He loved and learned to do woodworking and had many wonderful projects and gifts he crafted. He loved helping people less fortunate than himself and would do landscaping for those who could not do it themselves anymore with his Kubota tractor.

It was hard to admit it to myself, Gene said, but apparently everyone knew he was going to pass away one day soon. It wasn’t something he wanted to hear much less experience. He did not want anyone to know he knew. He did not want anyone to visit or see him sick, and that is what everyone wanted to do. With quiet gentle humor and a twinkle in his eye for detail for whatever he did, he walked through the journey of life; Giving his best to everyone. He knew “The Secret”, that Time and your health are the most pericous asset any of us will ever possess. He spent his time on this earth in Hot Springs Village in retirement, doing for others what was truly important to him and with the people he know were truly important.

Thank you so much, Dr. Sorrel and Genesis Cancer Center, Dr. Drivers, Dr. Hollenbach, and Dr. Thaddeus Bartter at UAMS and Dr. Lowry Barnes.

A Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, August 19, 10:00 a.m. at Christ of the Hills United Methodist Church. Visitation will be at 9:00 a.m. at the church. A reception will follow the service. Arrangements are entrusted to CedarVale Funeral Home in Hot Springs Village. Guest may register at www.cedarvalefuneralhome.com

In memory of Gene Kerr, memorials can be made to:

Hot Springs Village Walk for Cancer Research:

Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute Foundation

P.O. Box 8412

Hot Springs Village, AR 71910-8412