James O. "Sonny" Carr

James Owen
"Sonny" Carr
New York, NY
"Sonny" Carr, 75, died at his home in New York City on April 24, 2011, after a courageous 27 month battle with lung cancer.
Born in Erwin, NC on June 11, 1935, "Sonny" lived in Dunn until his 1953 graduation from Dunn High School. He was the son of the late Edgar Wilson and Lucielle Stanley Carr and the brother of the late Stanley Gaston Carr of Morehead City.
In 1958 "Sonny" earned a BA Degree in English at UNC-Chapel Hill. He then moved to New York to pursue a career in his first love-MUSIC. In New York, "Sonny" attended and taught at Hunter College where he completed his Master's Degree. By this time he was also becoming a renowned jazz drummer. For the next 20 years he played in New York clubs recording with Stan Getz, Joao Gilberto, Bobby Cole and others. He also entertained servicemen on two USO World Tours and accompanied the Louis Falco and Jennifer Muller Dance Companies. In his later years, "Sonny" worked as a Technical Writer for Citi Bank, Reuters, and SIAC until his retirement in 2000.
"Sonny" is survived by his beloved wife, Joanne Howell Carr of New York; aunt, Jo Bennett of Powhatan, VA; sister, Laura Carr Southerland of Middlesex; sister-in-law, Sarah D. Carr; two nephews David and Dan Carr of Morehead City, nephew, Doug Carr of Raleigh; two nieces, Suzanne Taylor of New Bern and Nancy Stainback of Florence, SC; nine great-nieces and nephews plus many loving cousins.
A crossword puzzle fanatic and an ardent Yankees' fan,"Sonny" was also devoted and very generous to his family and many friends. In spite of his busy schedules, he always found time to stay in touch and visit with those he loved. He will be greatly missed!
There will be a private burial of his ashes in the Dunn Greenwood Cemetery on his 76th birthday, 10:00 a.m. June 11, 2011. Afterwards, his family and close friends will gather to Celebrate His Life!!