Carr, known for National Guard duty, dies at 80
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Working for the National Guard Armory in McMinnville, Carr guided many young men toward a military career. His tenure lasted around 25 years, beginning in the early 1950s.
“When I was young and seeking some direction, he enlisted me in the National Guard,” said retired Col. Thomas B. Vaughn. “He was the thread of continuity for that unit.
“He was a big influence on a lot of young men looking for structure in their lives. It’s hard to exaggerate the impact he had. This is a great loss to the community.”
Carr was honored last month during a special gathering at Medley’s Classic Diner. He was given a proclamation signed by Gov. Phil Bredesen which recognized his decades of service.
After working locally with the National Guard until the mid-1970s, Carr moved to the Tennessee Military Academy in Smyrna where he was promoted to Sgt. Major, and served there until he retired from the academy in 1982.
“He was a good leader and a good man,” said Mason Black during the March ceremony. “He’s been called a father figure to all of us.”
When asked about our current National Guardsmen serving in Iraq, Carr showed he hadn’t lost his patriotic spirit one bit.
“I wish I was young enough to go join those boys who are over there now,” Carr said in March.
Carr was also extremely active in Boy Scouts and was a member of the rescue squad.