Brad Carr Passes Away Suddenly

Brad Carr, son of Berkley and Joyce Carr of Allendale, passed away suddenly Sunday, Graceland University announced on its official Facebook page. He was a long-time employee of Graceland and rose up the ladder to become Director of Student Activities.

While working at Carr Motors in Allendale, he and Jerry Dignan engaged in vigorous political debate, with other customers chiming in as well. Berkley would frequently take a third view to get them stirred up. But there was much more to Brad than his political self. He and Sharon had a passion for young people, which they lived out throughout their lives at Worth County and Lamoni. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

The following letter was posted on Graceland’s Facebook page by University President Pat Draves and Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Dave Schaal:

It is with profound sadness that we reach out to the Graceland family this evening, as we have just learned the heartbreaking news of the passing of our beloved colleague, mentor, and friend, Brad Carr, Director of Student Activities. Brad has embodied what it means to be a “Gracelander,” and as we all take in the shock of this announcement, we will share in his memory the joy and laughter he brought to us all, as well as his devotedness to the community he embraced, and to us, as friends.

We ask you especially to take Brad’s three sons, Alex (Residence Hall Director, Graybill), Jackson (current Graceland student), and Tim and his wife Natalie and Brad’s grandson Adam into your hearts and prayers this evening and into the days, weeks, and months ahead.

Tonight, the Student Life Office will be open at 8 pm for anyone needing support or just wanting to talk. We will work to bring additional opportunities for support through this time of loss, as well as a chance to share in your feelings of gratefulness for a man who gave so much. A future announcement will provide details of such opportunities.

As members of the Graceland family, we are good at coming together in support of one another. It is through this time of grief that we ask each of you to be there for each other and for those you observe may be in need.