Kathy McCarver's life was defined by the multitude of friends she made and the thousands of students she served. Kathy, who passed away on Aug. 31 following a short illness, never met a stranger.
Her sense of humor was infectious. She followed her mother's path into the teaching profession and a single sentence explains the joy of interacting with her classes. "I love to help students light up when they learn something new," she would say. Mrs. McCarver's class room was a magnet for current and former students after the day's final bell had rung. In addition, she was drill team leader, drama coach, yearbook advisor and a PTA Teacher of the Year.
Born Cora Kathleen McCarver on February 2, 1950, Kathy grew up in Arvin and Weedpatch, Calif. She was member of the Arvin High School Class of 1968, subsequently graduating from Bakersfield College and California State University Bakersfield. She held a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and psychology and a Master of Arts in education with emphasis in reading/literature. Kathy also earned a Certificate of Technology in Education from the University of California Santa Cruz. She taught elementary and junior high school in Bakersfield's then-Greenfield Union School District, where she was a California Demonstration Reading Project teacher; and elementary and middle schools in the Sunnyvale (Calif.) School District, retiring in 2003 after 30 years as an educator. She was an educator with the Professional Tutors of America.
Kathy met her future husband and love of her life, Owen A. Kearns, in 1982. The two were joined in marriage in December 1985, residing in Scotts Valley, Calif., where Owen - who she called my "Fuzzy Face" - was employed as senior manager of communications with the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR). He introduced her to the motorsports industry, with which Kathy traveled throughout America, Canada and Australia as announcer and public relations assistant, banquet coordinator and lap scorer for NASCAR, ESPN and The Nashville Network. She proudly claimed membership in the Dale Earnhardt Jr. Nation. Kathy loved to travel, spending many Christmases with Owen at their timeshare in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawai'i as well as in a Morro Bay, Calif. weekender. The couple cruised to Alaska before settling into The Greens at Seven Oaks in Bakersfield where Kathy enjoyed her Koi pond, scrapbooking and reading.
As a child, Kathy learned to love The Lord at Arvin's First Congregational Church and followed Him throughout her life. She is at peace in His arms, released from the earthly body that frequently failed her. Kathy was a member of the California Retired Teachers Association and the California State University Bakersfield Alumni Association.
Kathy was pre-deceased by her parents, William and Jean (Hayes) McCarver and a sister, Ruth McCarver, who also was an educator. She is survived by her husband; a brother, William S. McCarver of Columbus, Ohio; and a foster daughter, Teri Gleghorn Cantieni of Bakersfield and her children Lindsey Ray, Randal, Cody, Ethan and Jaclyn Rayann. Kathy's childhood desire was to become a veterinarian, however, family circumstances dictated otherwise. She adopted many feline companions over her lifetime and belonged to several groups that advocate for animal rights and care.
The family wishes to extend special thanks to Drs. James F. Campbell, Kimberly Hoffman and Don Yutzler and asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made in Kathy's name to the American Cancer Society, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or an animal rescue group of the donor's choice.
A celebration of Kathy's life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 18 at Greenlawn Southwest, 2739 Panama Lane, Bakersfield CA 93313.
For condolences, please visit
www.greenlawnm-c.com
Greenlawn Funeral Home Southwest

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Published by Bakersfield Californian on Sep. 13, 2015.