Larry Junior Kerr

Larry Junior Kerr passed away May 28, 2023, at his home in Columbia, MO after recently having open heart surgery. He was 78 years old. He was born on June 1,1944, in Anna, IL, to John and Daisy (nee Shelton) Kerr. He attended Anna Senior High School and joined the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17. He was very proud of serving his county in the Marine Corps. He married Hazel Irene Myers on August 25, 1965, in North Kansas City, MO.
Larry received a Certificate of Respiratory Therapy from the University of Kansas on May 5, 1978, a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Health Care Administration at Pacific Northwestern University on December 18, 1978, and a Bachelor of General Studies degree from Southeast Missouri State University on August 9, 1985. He was employed at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau and worked at Duncan Regional Hospital in Duncan, OK, as the Director of each hospital's Respiratory Therapy Department before his retirement. During his career, he was the recipient of multiple awards and recognitions for his work in respiratory therapy and was past President of the Missouri Society for Respiratory Care and the Missouri American Lung Association.
Larry was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, and friend. He was an avid car enthusiast and particularly loved the 1958 Chevy Impala. He is survived by his wife Hazel at the home, and his children, John A. Kerr (Carolyn) of Jefferson City, MO, Barbara Anderson (Scott) of St. Louis, MO, and Jacque Chang (Jaymin) of Seattle, WA, and grandchildren, John C. Kerr (Liv) of Charleston, SC, Megan Kerr, Alex Anderson, Will Anderson, Noel Chang, Zen Chang, and Zoe Chang, his beloved dogs, Peaches and Penny, and so many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Jerry Kerr, and half-brother Lonnie Dickerson.
Larry will be fondly remembered and sorely missed by all who knew him and anyone who ever had the pleasure to talk to him. He particularly enjoyed having coffee every morning at McDonald's in Columbia with his friends, especially Dennis White, whom he's had coffee with for the last 28 years.
Services will be held on Friday, June 2, 2023, at Parker-Millard Funeral Service & Crematory at 12 East Ash St., Columbia, MO. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., with a service to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations or memorials may be made to the Central Missouri Humane Society or the VFW Post 280, Columbia, Missouri.
Arrangements are under the direction of Parker-Millard Funeral Service & Crematory, 12 E. Ash St., Columbia, MO 65203 (573) 449-4153. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.parkermillard.com.