Allen Bradford Carr, age 61, of Allendale, Missouri, was born March 1, 1956, in Maryville, Missouri to Allen Berkley and Joyce Ann (Hamilton) Carr. He left this life suddenly on Sunday, January 28, 2018, at his home.
Brad, as he was known, grew up in Allendale. His childhood stories were endless and were probably embellished more over the years. While in school, he participated in football, basketball, and track, graduating from Grant City High School in 1974. He continued his education at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri, majoring in psychology. He was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He earned his bachelor’s degree and also completed the coursework for his master’s degree.
In 1983, Brad became the Head Resident of Gunsolley Hall at Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa. On July 21, 1985, he married Sharon Elaine McKiddie on the Carr family farm outside of Allendale. The couple made their home in Lamoni until 1989, when they moved to Omaha, Nebraska to become family-teachers at Boys Town, teaching and mentoring at-risk youth. After several years at Boys Town, they returned to Allendale. In addition to Brad working at the multi-generation family business, Carr Motors, he was also a Personal Counseling Specialist at Graceland from 1991-1993.
In 1995, they moved to Lamoni, and Brad became the Director of Student Activities. His responsibilities also included facilitating summer camps and conferences. He used his creativity and imagination to provide fun, safe, and wholesome activities for all Graceland students. He had a strong work ethic, quick wit, an unforgettable sense of humor, and was a master storyteller. Brad served as a mentor and role model to thousands of students, often spanning several generations.
Brad and Sharon were blessed with three sons, Timothy Jordan, Bradford Alexander, and Nathaniel Jackson. Brad was always very supportive and active in their lives, attending sporting events, leading church youth activities, volunteering as a Cub Scout leader, and keeping in constant contact to offer encouragement and advice. Brad was also blessed with one grandson, Adam Timothy Carr, who he loved and adored.
At the age of eight, Brad was baptized and confirmed a member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was called to serve in the priesthood, first as a priest in the Aaronic Priesthood and later as an elder in the Melchizedek Priesthood, serving as Pastor of the Decatur City Restoration Branch for many years. He considered his service as a minister for Jesus Christ to be the most important calling of his life.
Brad took an interest in music at a young age and played guitar in many bands throughout his life including The Decibels, Storm, Grand River Crossing, Quickdraw, Firestorm, Black Dirt Conspiracy and others. He loved to ride motorcycles, play golf, and spend time in the outdoors, camping and hiking, and talk politics. He took an interest in disc golf at Graceland and pioneered the construction of a course on campus.
Preceding him in death was his wife, Sharon Carr. Survivors include his sons, Tim Carr and wife, Natalie, of Independence, Missouri, Alex Carr of Lamoni, and Jack Carr and friend, Vanessa Deitch, of Lamoni; grandson, Adam Carr of Independence; parents, Berk and Joyce Carr of Allendale; siblings, Mark Carr and wife, Mary Beth, of Cameron, Missouri, Andrea Carr of Prairie Village, Kansas, Lance Carr and Sheila Langfitt of New Hampton, Missouri, and Kari Batina and husband, Jim, of Tallahassee, Florida; parents-in-law, Dave and Rita McKiddie of Independence; brother-in-law, Scott McKiddie and wife, Jeannette, of Independence; many nieces and nephews; other relatives and many co-workers and friends.
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