Kerr, James "Bob" Robert Jr. 1923-2007

KERR, KEECH, JONES

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/4/2017 at 09:22:36

Note: He is buried in Riverside Cemetery.

AKRON, Iowa -- Bob Kerr, 83, of Akron passed away Tuesday, March 6, 2007, at Happy Siesta Health Care Center in Remsen, Iowa.

Services will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Wesley United Methodist Church in Akron, with the Rev. Laurice Streyffeler officiating. Military rites will be conducted by the American Legion Hoschler Post 186 of Akron. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service Saturday at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Carlsen Funeral Home -- Schroeder Chapel in Akron.

James Robert Kerr Jr. was born March 22, 1923, in Akron, the son of James Robert and Birdice Marie (Keech) Kerr Sr. He was baptized and confirmed into the Christian faith at Wesley United Methodist Church. He attended school in Akron and graduated from Akron High School in 1941. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1941. He served his country during World War II, stationed at Mildenhall Air Base in England for three years. While station there, he met his future wife, Peggy. He was honorably discharged in 1945. After returning, he went into business with his father and Kerr Motor Company in Akron. In December 1947 he and Peggy had saved enough money and completed the required papers for Peggy to move to the states.

On Jan. 14, 1948, he was united in marriage to Margaret "Peggy" Jones at Wesley United Methodist Church. The couple continued to make their home in Akron. He continued to own and operate the dealership, where he sold Oldsmobile and Minneapolis-Moline tractors. He loved to work on all the cars and tractors that he sold. In the late 1970s, he sold the business to Dick Dirks. He continued to work for Dirk's Motor as a mechanic until retiring in the mid 1980s. After retiring, the couple enjoyed traveling and spending time with their family. Peggy passed away Dec. 23, 2000.

He was very devoted to his church. He was a longtime member of Wesley United Methodist Church, where he held various offices and served as an usher for many years. He was a more-than-50-year member of the American Legion Hoschler Post 186 and a past member of the Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed bowling. He had a knack for fixing and repairing anything. He loved working on cars and tractors, but most of all he loved his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Survivors include his daughter and her husband, Vicki and Reed Henrich of Brunsville, Iowa; six grandchildren, Rob Von Hagel and his wife, Angela of Brunsville, Heather and her husband, Gordy Johnson of Akron, Jayson Kerr-Dobney of Vermillion, S.D., Suzanne and her husband, Scott Herbold of Lawton, Iowa, and Nathan Dobney and Jennifer Dobney of Vermillion, S.D.; a daughter-in-law and her husband, Bev and Dan Dobney of Vermillion; two brothers, Marvin Kerr of Iowa City, Iowa, and Roger Kerr of Santa Anna, Calif.; a brother-in-law, Brian Meggs of Woodland, Texas; a sister-in-law, Lois Lee of Iowa City, Iowa; several nieces and nephews; and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; a son, Johnston Robert Kerr; and two sisters, Phyllis Huddleston and Marianne Anderson.

Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren.

Sioux City Journal
Friday, March 9, 2007
Sioux City, Iowa