Albert Gordon Carr, 92, of Cleveland, TN, died on Friday, April 11, 2014.
Albert was born on December 7, 1921 at Upper Fords Creek near Orofino, ID to Gordon and Ada Carr. The family resided at the Carr ranch. His early childhood included working on the family farm, going to school on Upper Fords Creek, and often walking or riding horses to Orofino.Albert met the love of his life, Clella Millage, at the county fair in Orofino. They were married on April 25th, 1940 and were nearly inseparable for the next 74 years. The couple left the large ranch to begin their life together. After spending time at various locations discovering Washington and Idaho in what they affectionately called the “Chevy Hotel”, the couple purchased a home in Pierce, ID and had 3 daughters.Albert worked hard to provide a comfortable living for his family. He held several positions in the logging industry in North Idaho, before starting his own business. He continued to farm and later managed the Carr ranch. Albert came to know the Lord when he was 41. Eight years later he and his wife began a ministry and opened Mount Hephzibah church in Weippe, ID. After 17 years they moved to Lewiston and opened Seaport Full Gospel church. They spent 8 years in Lewiston before moving to Cleveland, TN where they later retired. As a pastor Albert officiated hundreds of weddings, funerals, and children dedications. He often served as a teacher, mentor and guest minister for churches in his community. Albert and his wife traveled around the world to places like Austria and the Ukraine spreading the gospel.Albert lived a full life. He loved spending time with his family. This included camping, hunting, fishing, picking huckleberries, riding horses, and vacationing to Alaska, Canada and Mexico. Throughout his life and even in retirement, Albert was truly exceptional. His bold character and direct style of communication, combined with his passion for teaching people about Christ allowed him to preach to anyone he met. Those who spent time with him, even for a short period of time, knew he genuinely cared for you. People would say “spending time with Albert makes you feel like you want to be a better person.” Albert was known by everyone to be patient, kind and filled with love, joy and patience. He was loved immensely by adults and children alike as he played and sang with little ones on his knee, shared stories filled with his laughter and could always be trusted at his word. He lived every day as the perfect example of a loving and devoted husband.
In addition to his parents, Albert was preceded in death by his brother Daniel; sister Violet; grandchildren, Clella and Delta; great-grandchild Travis; and great-great-grandchild Dillon.
Albert is survived by his wife Clella; daughters, Lavonne Love (Jim), Levita Carr (Chester), Lorena Parker (Steve) and Helen Hoyt (Brent); 19 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren; nieces, Marvell, Louise, Loraine, Wanda and Darla; and nephews Melvin and Delbert.
A service to celebrate Albert’s life will be held at Trinity Chapel at 2779 APD 40, Cleveland, TN on April 15 at 11 a.m.
Family will receive friends at the Jim Rush Funeral Homes Wildwood Chapel on April 14 from 5-8 p.m. Interment will follow the service at the Cohulla Baptist Church Cemetery.
Jim Rush Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.