Leonard Lamar Kerr, Jr.

Leonard Lamar Kerr, Jr., known to his grandchildren as "Bopaw", went home to be with Jesus on the morning of December 11. We were lucky to be given 88 years of his presence here on earth; they were filled with love and joy.

Leonard was born on March 9, 1936, in Rosedale, Mississippi to Thelma and Leonard Kerr, Sr. He first lived in Halley, Arkansas, and attended 1st-12th grade in Dermott, Arkansas. After the passing of his father in 1952, Leonard and his siblings Robert (Bob) and Jean, along with their mother, officially moved to Dermott, Arkansas. Leonard graduated from Dermott High School in 1954 before attending Arkansas A&M (now U of A Monticello), followed by the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in 1958. He had a series of jobs leading him to Little Rock, Arkansas, and then to Dallas, Texas- where he met and married his wife of 61 years, Harriet Cromwell Kerr. They moved to Texarkana, Texas in 1966, and they had two children together, Leonard Lamar III and Elinor Ann. They were devoted members of Williams Memorial United Methodist Church and the Gleaners Sunday School Class.

Leonard lived a life of honor and humility. He was a leader, mentor, and an incredible man of God. For 88 years, he loved those around him and never asked for anything in return. He was a living embodiment of the word faith - he loved his wife the way that Jesus loves the church, led his family in prayer, and centered his life and his actions around those that reflected Jesus.

Everyone that knew Leonard (Bopaw) got to experience his humor and kindness. He cared for people deeply in a way that few can understand. There are no words to describe the loss that we have suffered on this side of Heaven, and we will all miss him terribly. However, we know that he would want nothing less than for us all to celebrate him together and to remember that in God we have eternal life; we don't have to be stuck in the pain of this world if we have a relationship with Him. Leonard will look over all of us and will live in our hearts until we see him again. We believe that he is joyfully reuniting with his family and friends in Heaven.

He is survived by his beloved wife Harriet, son Lamar Kerr and wife Julie, daughter Elinor Kerr Hohlt, grandchildren Morgan Kerr, Amanda Hohlt, and Kyle Kerr, and brother Dr. Robert L. Kerr and wife Mary Anne.