Obituary of John H. Kerr

Mr. John H. “Jack” Kerr, 79, of 405 E. Walnut St. Titusville, died 12:23 AM on Saturday, January 21, 2012 at home after a courageous battle with cancer. Jack was born on May 9, 1932 at Titusville, PA, a son of the late James Reid and Hazel Hummer Kerr. He was first married to Norma Lee Brown on December 16, 1955. He later married Mary Carolyn Kopp Fenn on November 12, 1991. She preceded him in death in September of 2006. Jack was a graduate of Titusville High School, class of 1950. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict having served in the US Navy. He enlisted in 1951 and served as a radio operator aboard the USS Yancey. He was honorably discharged in October of 1955. Jack had been self employed as a dairy farmer for many years in the Bethel area. He was later employed by Quaker State Refinery in Titusville from where he retired. He also worked for S & T Service & Supply, Inc. for a brief time following his retirement from Quaker State. In 1990, Jack moved to Phoenix, AZ where he managed and maintained Medlock Place apartment complex until May of 2011. In August of 2011 he returned to Titusville to be with family. Jack was a member of the Bethel United Methodist Church. He enjoyed spending time with his family and his many friends. He enjoyed his work in Phoenix at Medlock Place and especially the residents he helped and the owner for which he worked. He also enjoyed traveling around the southwest and looked forward to his trips back to Pennsylvania to visit his family, doing crossword puzzles and was interested in all types of history. He was a kind and caring man who befriended most everyone he met. Jack is survived by five sons; Terry Lee Kerr and his wife Terry Lynne, and Michael J. Kerr, all of Titusville, Randy J. Kerr and his wife Paula of Brookville, Joseph P. Kerr of York, and David H. Kerr and wife Lauri of Cleveland Heights, OH; three step-children, Kelly Fenn, Kristy Horn and husband Lee, all of Phoenix, and Kim Fenn and wife Marianne, of Scottsdale, AZ. He is also survived by several grandchildren, Shawn Kerr and wife Kristen, and Dustin Kerr, all of Titusville, Nicholas and Jeremy Kerr of Pleasantville, Elizabeth Kerr of Philadelphia, Alexander and Sebastian Kerr, Evan and Taylor Hansen all of Brookville, Lexi Kerr of Grove City, and Riley Parke of Cleveland Heights, OH; 2 great grandchildren, Bailey Hulsizer and Cameron Kerr of Titusville; and 8 step-grandchildren, and 10 step great-grandchildren; two brothers, Rev. Dr. Erwin Kerr and his wife Barbara of Pittsburgh and Frank Kerr and his wife Bobby of Stafford, VA; a sister, Linda Johnson of Titusville; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a brother, Melvin R. Kerr, due to a sled riding accident at the age of five. Friends may call at the Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home 303 N. Washington St. Titusville on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM. The funeral service will be conducted on Wednesday at 11:00 AM in the Bethel United Methodist Church located on Rt. 89N with Rev. Jerry Gray, officiating. Interment will be in Phoenix Memorial Park, Phoenix, AZ. The family asks that memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Crawford County 310 N. Monroe St., Bethel United Methodist Church 15068 State Hwy 89; or the Titusville Alumni Association 302 E. Walnut St., all located in Titusville, PA 16354.