John R. Carr Jr.

John R. Carr, Jr.

92, Indianapolis, died Sunday, July 17, 2011. He was born and raised in Elkhart, Indiana. He attended the University of Arizona where he was a member and chapter president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, graduating in 1941. After serving from 1942-46 in WWII with Patton's Third Army in the European Theater of Operations, where he took part in five battle campaigns, he returned to Harvard Law School, receiving his JD in 1947. He, his wife Annette, and oldest child then moved to Indianapolis where he began the practice of law.

Mr. Carr was widely recognized in the field of bankruptcy reorganization and creditor's rights and received many professional acknowledgments over his career. Mr. Carr was a founding committee member of the Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum, presenting numerous seminars for both that organization and the Federal Bar Association Education Forum. He was active in the Indiana State Bar and Indianapolis Bar Associations, serving those associations in many capacities. He was a founding member of the Indianapolis Lawyers Commission and served many years on the Committee on Character and Fitness of the Third Supreme Court Judicial District of Indiana.

His service to the Indianapolis community was extensive. He was active in the Jaycees, Indiana and Indianapolis Chambers of Commerce, and founder and president of the Youth Service Bureau of Indianapolis, Inc.

John Carr was Honorary Consul of France in Indianapolis from 1983-89, and in 1991 the Republic of France named him a Chevalier de l'Ordre National du Merite. He was also a long time member of the Indianapolis Committee on Foreign Relations. Mr. Carr was a member of the Mayor's Advisory Council for Cultural Affairs (1978-80).

He was very involved with the Indiana Repertory Theatre serving on the board of directors for many years and as Chairman from 1977-80. He was instrumental in the IRT's decision to renovate and move from the Atheneum to the Indiana Theatre. He was Founding Chairman of the Indiana Repertory Society. His love of the theater is also reflected in his enthusiastic participation in the Players Club.

John Carr served on the Board of Directors of the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra from 1987 to 1991. He served on the Finance, Board Development, and Financial Development Committees. After completing his Board service in 1999, he served as Co-Chair of the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra's endowment campaign. His visionary leadership through the early years of the orchestra set a foundation for financial stability and growth for the future.

He was also very involved with the Indianapolis Arts Chorale, serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors from 1980-86. He was a long-time member of the Board of Directors of the Festival Music Society (now Indiana Early Music).

Mr. Carr was a sustaining member of The Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indiana State Symphony Society (Indianapolis Symphony), Indianapolis Humane Society, and the Indiana Wildlife Federation.

He was a member of the Indianapolis Literary Club starting 1973 and served as its President in 1992-93.

He was a member of the Scottish Rite Indianapolis Chapter and Mystic Tie Lodge since 1948.

Mr. Carr was a member of Tabernacle Presbyterian Church since 1951. He served the church as a Deacon, Elder, and Stephen Minister.

Despite his intense devotion to the practice of law, the Greater Indianapolis community, and his church, Mr. Carr always made time for his family. For many years the family spent several weeks on Cape Cod fishing, sailing, and golfing, and spent one notable summer traveling Europe, which was an epic event still discussed at family get-togethers. He was an avid fisherman, spending many wonderful weeks in Canada, the Maine woods, and in Montana with his sons and grandson. And his passion for his bird dogs, picking pockets at the euchre table, and regaling everyone in hunting camp with jokes and stories of days in the field will not soon be forgotten.

John was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Annette R. Carr. He is survived by his children, John R. Carr III (Joan), Daniel J. Carr, Michele C. Kiene (Rudolf), Gabrielle M. Carr (Kevin Peers), and seven grandchildren.

His family wishes to thank the staff of St. Vincent Hospice, St. Vincent Hospital, and especially Dr. Joseph Khalil for the care they gave their father. The family wishes to thank Dr. Robert Evard for his care of their parents over the years.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Indiana Repertory Theatre, or Indiana Early Music.

Calling will be Monday, July 25, from 9:00 a.m. in Tabernacle Presbyterian Church with the funeral service following at 11:15 a.m.

Arrangements entrusted to the Leppert Mortuary, Nora Chapel . Please visit http://www.leppertmortuary.com, where you can sign the guestbook, leave a message for the Carr family, or make a memorial contribution.