Walter C. Carr

With an unwavering faith as his constant companion, Walter Carr lived a life of purpose and passion for the people and things he loved. He was a man of character whose convictions remained steadfast throughout his entire life’s journey. Walter was blessed to find love not once, but twice, and he was gentle and giving in the way he treated everyone he came into contact with. He was no stranger to hard work and someone who believed that anything worth doing was worth doing right. A true outdoorsman through and through, Walt loved fishing and gardening whenever he could. He will be deeply missed and warmly remembered.

With the crash of the stock market in late 1929, our nation and much of the world was sent spiraling into the depths of the Great Depression. The decade that followed was heavy laden with some of the darkest and most trying days we have ever seen as a nation. Despite the trials around them, a young couple from Princeton, Illinois, was filled with great joy as they announced the birth of their healthy baby boy on November 11, 1930. Walter Clifton was the eighth of fifteen children born to his parents, Archie and Wilhelmina (Troeger) Carr, although two of his siblings died as newborns. As countless other American families, the Carr family was not immune to the struggles of the 1930s. They moved around quite a bit as they followed what work could be found in the crippled agricultural industry. Walter and his siblings including Clarence “Mike,” Robert, Alvin “Bill,” Hazel, Darwin, Roger, Frederick, Eugene, Helen, Luella, Daniel, and Geneve, were raised in a loving home. In 1937 the Carr family came to Michigan and settled in Lawrence.

Although material possessions were scarce, Walter and his family embraced life to the fullest. They worked hard together and in the evenings they often went swimming in the local pond. With nine sons, Walter’s father had his own baseball team so he often unwound after a day at work by teaching his children the fundamentals of baseball and how to catch pop flies. As they got older they also frequently went roller skating. The family was in for quite a scare when Walt’s father accidentally backed over him with the car. Thankfully, the ground was very sandy so he was not seriously injured. Like so many other young people of his generation, Walt left school after the eighth grade to work full-time instead.

New and exciting changes were in store for Walter when he met the young girl who would change the course of his life forever. Her name was Mildred Howell, although she often went by Bill. After falling deeply in love they were married in 1949. Together they welcomed their son, James or Jimmy, into their hearts and home on January 11, 1954. Walt and his son were given a tough pill to swallow when Bill died in 1968.

Brighter days were on the horizon for Walt when he found love again with LaWanda Hobbs. With a desire to establish a life together they were married on May 1, 1971. Walt was again deeply saddened when LaWanda died in 1998. Tragically, he lost his only son just a few months later in 1999. Although these losses were monumental in his life, Walt drew strength from his faith and the love of his family.

In everything he did Walt was one to work hard, and he was known for his strong work ethic. In 1954 he began working at Green Bay Packaging where he remained throughout his career. Walt retired as a shipping supervisor when he was 62. During his retirement years he delivered auto parts for Rowerdink Inc. for several years.

A salt of the earth sort of man, Walt loved being outside. He had a passion for farming and helped his brother-in-law on his farm for many years. Walt mainly operated the tractor, driving the farm equipment to aid in the planting and harvesting. His love for the earth also led to his love for gardening. Walt found great fulfillment in watching his plants grow, and he was always known by many for his bountiful crops of vegetables.

When he wasn’t working or gardening, fishing was another one of Walt’s favorite pastimes. He wasn’t picky about where he was fishing either as his preferred places were wherever the fish were biting. Walt was often accompanied by his fishing buddy, his brother-in-law Carl. One year, the pair set out on a quest to fish on every lake within a 25 mile radius of their homes, and they were nearly successful. He also went on the trip of a lifetime when he and his brother Gene and family went to Alaska where they chartered a fishing boat and caught halibut. He also enjoyed ice fishing and fishing in the upper peninsula on and around Drummond Island.

Throughout his life’s journey Walt’s life was enriched in other ways as well. He was a man of faith and one of the first members of Friendship Wesleyan Church. Walt was a great handyman who was also an avid reader of anything that he could get his hands on.

A longtime resident of the community he loved, Walter Carr was deeply loved by many. Life was not without times of trial for him, but he was a humble and gracious man whose faith helped him weather the storms of life. Walt was a devoted husband and father who had a special place in his heart for kids and loved spending time with his nieces and nephews. The memories he leaves behind will be forever cherished

Walter C. Carr of Cooper Township died on June 8, 2013. Walt’s family includes his siblings, Eugene (Helen) Carr, Helen Effner, Luella Camburn, Daniel Carr, and Geneve (Carl) Flickinger; his 5 step-children; 11 step-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Walt was preceded in death by his first wife, Mildred “Bill,” his second wife, LaWanda Carr; son, Jimmy (Tiny) Carr; and one step-child as well as his siblings, infants Gladys & David Royce Carr, Clarence “Mike” Carr, Robert Carr, Alvin “Bill” Carr, Hazel Boyer, Darwin Carr, Roger Carr, and Frederick Carr. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 12th from 1:00-3:00 and 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Life Story Funeral Homes; Plainwell, 120 S. Woodhams (685-5881) where a funeral service will be held on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Please visit Walt’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a favorite memory or photo and sign the guest book. Memorial donations may be made to Reverence Home Health & Hospice or Friendship Wesleyan Church.