of Jonesboro, AR

May 31, 1947 - November 6, 2020

On November 6, 2020, our hero, Joseph Carr, 73, of Jonesboro, passed away after one final courageous battle. Joe was born on May 31, 1947, in Secaucus, New Jersey, the oldest of four children to Walter, a veteran of World War II, and Eileen Carr. The children were raised in a loving Roman Catholic home and moved to Woodbridge, New Jersey, in 1960. He graduated from Woodbridge Senior High School in 1965.

At age 17, he joined the United States Marine Corps and he began a career that lasted 28 years, retiring on Okinawa, Japan in 1993, as a Master Gunnery Sergeant, the highest enlisted rank. During his career he served 17 months in Vietnam, deployed to KoTang Island, Cambodia to rescue a pirated U.S. ship and served over 3 years at Parris Island, South Carolina as a Marine Drill Instructor where he was promoted meritoriously to Staff Sergeant. In 1977, he was a NROTC Instructor at MIT. During his career he served in various parts of South East Asia and Europe, in Joint Service assignments. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Korea Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal (9 awards), Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Vietnam Service Medal and various unit awards.

Joe earned a Business Degree from Northwood University in 1990. He returned to the U.S. and made a home in Jonesboro in 1994, where he is a member of St. Bernard's church. He worked for J.C. Penney and in construction, learning the technical side of Real Estate. In early 2000, he became a member of Crye-Leike Realtors, working his way up to Executive Broker. He served for seven years on the Jonesboro Board of Realtors, now the North East Arkansas Board of Realtor's Executive Board, twice as Treasurer, twice as Vice President, twice as President and as Ex-officio as well as two terms on the MLS Committee. He also established the Joe Carr Excellence in Education Scholarship Program, which annually recognizes college bound students.

Joe is survived by his wife of 35 years, Nida Carr; his three children, Donna Carr (spouse Tim Williams) of McKinney TX, Shanie Carr from Jonesboro, and his son, MSGT Patrick Carr (spouse Nina Carr) currently stationed at Kadena AFB on Okinawa, Japan. He also has three grandchildren, Taylor, Christopher and Corinne; and two great granddaughters, Ayva Lee and Dallas.

Graveside services will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 12, 2020, at Arkansas State Veteran's Cemetery in Birdeye, Arkansas.

Arrangements are under the direction of Roller-Farmers Union Funeral Home of Jonesboro.

Per CDC guidelines, masks and social distancing are recommended.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Farmers Union Funeral Home
1900 West Washington Ave.
Jonesboro, AR  72401
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com