Richard Karr
Rev. Richard Louis Karr, 70, died on February 13, 2009.
He was born July 14, 1938, in Canton, Oh., son of the late Sheldon Louis Karr of North Canton, Oh., and Evelyn Yost Karr of Canton, Oh.
He resided in Chattanooga since 1994, and was a member of Highland Park Baptist Church.
He retired from the Power Train Division of General Motors and was Pastor Emeritus of Northwest Baptist Church, Farmington Hills, Mi., where he was the pastor for 19 years.
In 1965, he was ordained to the gospel ministry by the Canton Baptist Temple, Canton, Ohio, and dedicated his life to serving the Lord through the church and the police chaplaincy ministry. He had a burden and love for law enforcement officers and was a life member of the International Conference of Police Chaplains. He had served on the board of directors of ICPC where he was certified as a Senior Chaplain and received the John A. Price Award for Excellency in Chaplaincy.
For 15 years he was the Chaplain for the Farmington Hills, Mi., Police Department and was instrumental in starting police chaplain programs for many departments. His chaplain ministry also included the Oakland Police Academy, Auburn Hills, Mi., and the Michigan Police Chaplains Association.
After retiring in Chattanooga, he became the Chaplain for the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority, and in 1995 was appointed chaplain for the Chattanooga Police Department. He touched many lives through his constant support and strong influence for his church congregation and law enforcement officers and their families.
He was certified in Critical Incident Stress Debriefing and was a member of Tri-State Critical Incident Stress Team. For many years, he was an instructor/volunteer for the American Red Cross.
He graduated from Lincoln High School, Canton, Ohio, and earned degrees from Temple Baptist Seminary, California Graduate School of Theology (M.A.), Temple Baptist Theological Seminary (B.R.E.), Tennessee Temple University (B.A.), Tennessee Temple Bible School (Th.G.), and Washtenaw Community College (A.A.).
For over 38 years he was a chaplain for Civil Air Patrol, Auxiliary of the United States Air Force, and held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He had served as chaplain for several squadrons and groups and filled the positions of Director of Professional Development, Deputy Region Chaplain and Director of Chaplain Emergency Services for the Great Lakes Region.
He will always be remembered for the godly wisdom he shared with many, and his consistent example of Christian principles.
Family wishes to express their appreciation to his home health caregiver, Debbie Maynard, who patiently and lovingly provided for him; to Lillian Barnett for her regular Sunday visits; to Joe Christopher for his visits on Saturday; and to Larry Johnson, Rachel Smith and all the employees of Hospice of Chattanooga for their support and dedication.
Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Yvonne McMillon Karr; daughter Sheryl Lynn (Ed) Winkelman; granddaughters, Kathryn Lynn Winkelman and Karlee Ann Winkelman all of Chattanooga; Aunts, Ardis DeHoff, of North Canton, Ohio, and Betty Yost, of Kettering, Ohio; several cousins.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, at 2:30 p.m. in the North Chapel with Rev. Bob Circeo and Rev. Raymond Palmer officiating. Burial will follow at Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends on Monday, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. and Tuesday, from 12-2:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
Arrangements are by Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, Tn.
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