Calvin Kenneth Carr
April 23, 1921 - October 14, 2011
Obituary
On October 14, 2011, Calvin K. Carr, age 90, ran into the loving arms of Jesus and his wife of over 40 years, Lovina M. Carr.
He was born in Lincoln County, Kansas, on April 23, 1921. He was the 3rd oldest of six children born to Charlie and Blanche Carr. He grew up there, helping his dad with the family farm and playing music with the entire family. He graduated from Beverly Rural High school in 1940. He had four children from a first marriage, Vicki, Tom, Kenneth, and Cindy. He was drafted into the Navy during WWII in 1944. His Naval career included serving in WWII and the Korean War and he retired from the Naval Reserves. He began working for Boeing in the 1940’s as a flight mechanic and then was rehired in 1954. He moved to Renton, Washington with Boeing and worked there until retiring in 1984. It was in Renton where he met the love of his life, Lovina Gunstone. They married on September 18, 1965. Calvin lovingly embraced as his own her three children, Denise, Debbie and Donald.
Calvin loved life as evidenced by the continual smile on his face. His life was centered on his faith and salvation through Jesus Christ. He served in many capacities at Boulevard Park Presbyterian Church, helping people and singing in the choir. Calvin was a humble, hard-working man and he was known for his servant’s heart. He was the “fix-it” guy who patiently and masterfully fulfilled all the family honey-do lists. His passions included woodworking, wood carving, stained glass windows, collecting toy tractors and visiting the real ones, traveling in their trailer, gardening, and most of all walking on the beach somewhere with Lovina. Calvin faithfully cared for his wife through many extended illnesses, never complaining, truly acting as her protector until she preceded him in death in April 2005. He will always be remembered for his undying faith in Jesus, true integrity, kind heart, complete honesty and loyalty to his family.
He is survived by two sisters, Betty (Verle) Eckman and Naomi Roe of Abilene, Kansas, seven children, many grandchildren and several great-grandchildren, along with nieces and nephews. Most all of his family was able to spend some quality time with him in the last year including a John-Deer themed celebration of his 90th birthday. His family is eternally grateful for the extraordinary care he received while living at Grace House through Cherished Acres in Auburn, WA.
A celebration memorial service will take place at Bonney-Waston Funeral home, 16445 International Blvd, Sea Tac, on October 24th at 2:00 after a private interment at the Tahoma National Cemetery. Donations in memoriam may be to museumofflight.org/give-a-tribute-gift or call 206-768-7238.
Thank you for visiting our dad’s online site. If you didnt know him, I wish you had. His smile was contagious, his love was endless, His heart for service was huge, and his love of family was priceless. Donations are to the flight museum is because of his love of aviation and this is where he took his grandchildren over the years for fun. They loved their time with their “Bapa”. Please share memories with us.
Thank you for your care.
Dear Don Gunstone
Im attaching 4 pics- so many memories!
Calvin was always a very careing guy. It was a very special time in April, to be with him, even if he called me “Mom!”. His niece, Annette was so very grateful to have had time with him. As you know she was 56 the same day as Calvin was 90.
Much Love to you all. Verl and Betty
As I read the words above, I felt they truely expressed Dad’s spirit. Though my family and I were unable to spend the sort of time one would hope for, I am happy to say that we all have many fond memories of Dad. It is easy to reflect on the similarities in Dad and my personalities for which I am grateful – he was a good man. I cannot count the abundant blessings afforded our family from Debbie, Don and Denise when we visited and long distance. I loved him will miss him.
I’ll remember Uncle Calvin as kind, a gentleman. He’ll be missed by all. My Dad, Bill, certainly loved his older brother
Dear Don, Gail and family, may your memories of Calvin bring smiles to your face as you think of him throughout the next few weeks. As you hear many new stories of how he touched the lives of others may it give you comfort. Our best comfort comes from knowing the Lord. What a legacy he left for you and yours with his faith and his love for others. May God bless you all, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Thank you Dennis, Tom, Betty and Verle for your kind words. His sweet and gentle spirit made those around him want to be better. I’m so glad we were able to come to the reunion so he could see everyone again, his sisters, and all his neices and nephews. And the visits since from Tom, Betty, and Verle, and Annette were precious nuggets for him and I am eternally grateful for. Thank you
Denise, Donald, Debbie
Watching the way he loved his family and his gentle kind ways was a example of Christ in his life.
I had the wonderful opportunity to know Calvin for the last 2 years at Cherished Acres Estates. He was the “cheer” of the house! His smiles were genuine and he always had a big “hello” for me that carried me through the rest of the day! My grandmother as well as the rest of Grace House will miss him and his wonderful light he filled everyone’s day with.
We are with you in prayer
I had fun looking at the pictures , reading his bio, and seeing Don with his huge glasses as a boy! Your dad and father in law Gail seemed a delightful, Godly man. How fortunate you are were to know him in this life. You will surely be reunited with Carl someday soon. I look forward to meeting him and other loved ones of mine who have ” gone on before us” at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb”. My prayers are with you, family and loved ones who must go on missing Carl this side of Heaven. Jean B.
One of the last Carr Family Reunions that Uncle Calvin attended, several of us went on the “homestead tour” in Lincoln county. Aunt Mary Jane was along on the tour also. We stopped at a wheat field that contained the remains of the farmhouse that had been struck by lightning. Both Uncle Calvin and Aunt Mary Jane told about what they remembered that frightening night. We are going to miss those stories of days gone by.
Thank you all for your kind words. It was such a wonderful celebratio of his life on Monday. He was truly honored with the gravesite military honors performed. Those who sacrificed for our freedom in WW2 and Korean War, have given us the freedoms we so take for granted. He was my inspiration, my example, my sweet dad. I miss him so much and all that knew him, know that he was one of a kind. Thank you all for sharing your words, your memories, and for your encouraging prayers.
My dear Uncle Calvin, I will always remember the stories my father told me about your childhood on the farm. I will always remember the kindness you showed me when I came to Seattle on my way to Alaska. You opened your home to me and you will be missed. My love and prayers to your family.
Your niece, Cathy