Captain Leroy Gerald Carr

Captain Leroy Gerald Carr, of Harrisonburg and Heathsville, VA, threw his last cast on October 20, 2025 after a short, rapid decline with lymphoma. He was born, the eldest of four on August 1, 1937 to Raymond E. and Minnie Rhodes Carr. Growing up in the Dayton/Bridgewater areas was just what that active, curious boy needed where he could learn how to hunt and fish and roam the countryside soaking up the fresh air and sunshine. After graduating from Dayton High School, he married Mary Alice VanPelt and spent a year working at the State Game Farm in Cumberland, VA where he learned large wildlife management and production of game birds. He worked in the retail/wholesale tire and auto service business for most of his life, as owner of Carr's Tire Service, Inc. (Where the wise motorist RE-TIRES.) established by his father and later expanded to his namesake, Big "L" Tire, Co. which grew to include five stores. Upon achieving his dream of early retirement, he obtained his Charter Fishing Boat Captain license. He spent decades guiding countless anglers on unforgettable adventures on the Chesapeake Bay aboard his beloved 'Blue Streak'. Another of his passions was hunting, and reminds everyone that he killed a deer every year of his life since the age of thirteen. On August 16, 2015 he married Nancy B. Hess, who survives. They spent much of their time together enjoying traveling most of the east coast from Florida to Maine. For as long as he was able, he hosted guests at the bay house with Nancy by his side, spreading his love and knowledge of the outdoors. He never ran out ways to let people know how much he loved them and changed many lives through his generosity, kindness, and friendliness. He was a storyteller who enjoyed entertaining folks with stories of his adventures. The Captain is survived by Brenda (Bobby) Fairweather, Rosie (Roger) Riggleman, Ginger Long (Greg Gilkerson), Carol Carr (Tim Shifflett) and Scotty (Stephanie), nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, his brothers Raymond, Jr. (Kitty) and Everette (Karen), quite a few in-laws, step children and grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Mary Alice and sister, Carolyn Huffman. Family will be present at Johnson Funeral Service in Bridgewater, Thursday, October 23rd from 6:00-7:00 p.m. A celebration of life will be held at Victory Fellowship Church on Friday, October 24th, at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Victory Fellowship Church, P. O. Box 326, Dayton, VA 22821 The family appreciates and respects the highly professional care he received by the 5W staff at RMH/Sentara. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Captain Leroy, please visit our floral store.