of Conway, AR
January 18, 1930 - March 31, 2013
Don Marr often enjoyed challenging convention and encouraging debate in his life and in his art. Over the course of his eighty-three years, he produced hundreds of paintings that enchant the eye with their naturalistic majesty and provoke the mind with pointed social themes. He was a stubborn realist in an era dominated by non-representational, modern art. In a forty-one year career as the head of the art department at Hendrix College, his passion for painting complemented his zeal for teaching. Marr challenged his students beyond provincial thinking and inspired them to find their own passions. More of a maverick than a cowboy, he could often be seen striding across campus in his blue jeans and trademark, Stetson hat.
Don Harry Marr, the son of Harry Aloysius Marr and Birdie Czar Marr, was born on January 18, 1930, in St. Louis, Missouri. While in boarding school, one of his teachers noticed him drawing a horse and told him that he should pursue the life of an artist. Marr proceeded to the University of Tennessee where he received a degree in studio art in 1953. After two years of service as an Army lieutenant stationed in Germany, he returned to the U.S. to the University of Arkansas to pursue graduate studies receiving his MFA in 1958. He then joined the faculty at Hendrix College in the fall of 1959. As well as lecturing on art history, Marr taught free-hand drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture and calligraphy to generations of students. In 1991, Marr was named the Louis and Charlotte Cabe Distinguished Professor of Art.
Marr married Camilla Raymond Brittenum in 1961. After they married, the extended Raymond family, which included a sizeable percentage of the Woodruff County population, took Marr in as one of their own.
As a young artist Marr dabbled with cubism, and his works during the 1950s and '60s have a distinctly modernist aesthetic. As his point of view evolved, so did his art. In 2001 he said, ''Stylistically, my art is of two kinds. One kind (or genre) is a Romantic, Realism. The other kind (or style) is a Seriocomic, Surrealism.'' However, there were few genres he didn't try. Marr painted primarily in acrylic, though he often enhanced details with oil. He also applied gold leaf liberally and wrote his titles in his signature calligraphy. His titles were intended to intrigue as much as enlighten.
His paintings have been collected both privately and publicly around the country and are in the permanent collections of the Arkansas Arts Center, the Historic Arkansas Museum and the Biedenharn Museum in Monroe, Louisiana. He was also commissioned to do four large public murals. One of those, ''Pine Bluff Pine,'' a tile mosaic which graces the top of the stairs at the Pine Bluff Memorial Library was commissioned by famed architect, Edward Durell Stone. Over the years he had numerous one-man shows and won countless awards. After retiring from Hendrix in 2000, Marr continued to paint prolifically, exhibiting works in his gallery aptly named ''The Marrvellous'' in downtown Conway.
Don loved dancing with his wife Camilla, bantering with students and colleagues, drinking martinis and connecting with family and friends. He also enjoyed depicting pink flamingos and other yard art in his paintings, sailing across Lake Beaverfork in his second-hand Sunfish, and punctuating many a meal with a boisterous, ''Gracias a la Vida!''
Marr succumbed to prostate cancer on March 31, 2013. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Camilla Marr of Conway; five children: Ann Brittenum and husband Gary Hearne of Hyattsville, Maryland; Adrienne Sergeant of Irving, Texas; Allison Marr of Conway; Holly Marr of Conway and Duke Marr of New York, New York; four grandchildren: Jules Hearne of Kansas City, Missouri; Penny Hearne of Chicago, Illinois; Ryan Sergeant of Irving, Texas, and Julia Lee McGill of Conway. Marr's life and art will be remembered at Reeves Recital Hall on the campus of Hendrix College on Saturday, April 6th at 2:30 p.m. A large collection of his works are represented on his website, donhmarr.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hendrix College in Conway.
One of Marr's former students, Jim DeWoody said of Marr, ''He was a beacon of light in a part of the world that needed him more than he or they knew. His spirit lives not only in the magnificent work he left behind and the love he gave and shared, but in his influence on those he taught and mesmerized with his brilliance and passion.'' Online guest book: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.
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38 Condolence(s)
Dana Lancaster Allen
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Dr Marr was a remarkable man and artist and professor.
Garrett McAinsh
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Don was a veteran prof when I came to Hendrix to teach in 1970. He showed me great kindness then and throughout my career, spending many hours helping me prepare slides for my history courses. He was a great friend, as well as a true colleague.
Ronda Haltom Walker
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Sorry to hear of the death of Professor Marr. I remember his openness and genuine concern for each student fondly. My prayers are with his family at this time of loss.
David & Tricia Moix
Saturday, April 6, 2013
we each deal with the passing of a loved one in our own time and way. I hope your time in sorrowful mourning is short and your way is one of wonderful memories.
We have you in our thoughts and prayers
David & Tricia
Randy Watson
Friday, April 5, 2013
What a beautiful, almost larger than life story of a man who seemed to have improved almost everything, and everyone, he touched. A trait he definitely passed to the two daughters that I know. My prayers are with you all.
Corinne Hunt Greenberg
Friday, April 5, 2013
I am very sorry to learn about Professor Marr. He was one of my favorite teachers, I think I became an art major because of him.
Pam Wilson
Friday, April 5, 2013
Holly, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. My sympathies for you and your family.
Randy Fraser
Friday, April 5, 2013
Holly & Allison,
I'm so sorry to hear of the loss or your father. I know you have great friends and family that will help you through this sad time along with the good memories of your father. My thoughts are with you.
Carolyn Redus Korte
Friday, April 5, 2013
Allison, my prayers are with you and your family. I know the hurt you feel right now. I also know that soon you will be able to share your memories of all the joy he brought to your life; laugh as you remember silly things you did together; and smile as you realize how wise he was all along. May you find peace and love in knowing you were blessed with a loving father.
Becky Redus
Friday, April 5, 2013
Holly, Allison, and Family... Very sorry for your loss... He touched so many poeple's lives at Hendrix and with his work and as a father I know there are so many memories you will cherish.. My thoughts and prayers are with you and I hope as you remember him your memories will be full of smiles and love. My heart goes out to you.. Love Becky
John Ziegler
Thursday, April 4, 2013
My deepest sympathy. The "General" and I were good friends and colleagues for many years and shared the St. Louis area background. As I look at the two paintings he did for me, especially "Ziegler's Way" as he named it, every day. Don will always be in my thoughts and prayers.
JAN DAVIE
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Holly, Allison & Family,
I'm so very sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad. You will always have your memories, hold them close to your heart. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Love you all, Jan
Jayme Thomas
Thursday, April 4, 2013
I am so sorry. I was one of Don's first students my freshman year at Hendrix. Happy Memories. He was a gift to the college and the community. Thank you.
Becky Burris
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Allison,
I'm so sorry about your Dad. What a legacy he has left behind in his family, his students, and his art! He won't be forgotten. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Treva West
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Receive my sincere and heartfelt expression of sympathy at this time. I know that I cannot estimate the full extent of your pain, my feelings and thoughts are with the Marr family.
Professor Marr challenged me as an artist and a student to look inside and be passionate about what you do.
I hope you get strength to deal with this loss and continue. Please know that I will be praying for your family.
Warmest Regards,
Treva West Hendrix 1992
Nancy Dunaway
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
I was sad to learn of Don's passing. I feel fortunate to have been his student at Hendrix, to have been a friend of his and Camilla's , and to have a piece of his work. He was a wonderful man and as I became a professor myself, I looked back and marveled at just how many classes he taught and how many of us he influenced during his teaching career. I remember looking at work in progress in his office at Trieshmann and marveling at the gold leaf! I'll miss him and send my thoughts and prayers to all the family.
Tonya Mitchell Moix
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Duke and family,
So sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Brent Hendrickson
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Gona miss you my friend. Some great times at the gallery
Randy O. & Sherril A. Bowling
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Ann: Very saddened to hear of your loss. Sherril & I extend our most sincere condolences. Didn't know your Dad; but enjoyed reading his vitae.
Very few of our citizenry realize the caliper of academia & contributions to mankind & the world being a better place, that are Arkansas assets, like your Dad who do, who did, & who teach, as your Dad did all three for & in his area.
A great asset is lost to mankind when folks as he pass away. Randy O. Bowling/R.O.B.
Ashley
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
I had the pleasure of knowing Mr. and Mrs. Marr from waiting on them at the Conway Country Club. He always had a smile on his face and kind words to lift your spirit. My condolences to the Marr family, you will be in my prayers. His paintings will be around forever to remind us of his remarkable talent.
Bill Tibbett
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
So sorry for your loss. He was a great teacher and inspiration. He taught me as much about life as he did art. He will be missed.
Jean and John Churchill
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
John and I send our love and prayers to Camilla and the entire Marr family. We have two of Don's paintings hanging prominently in our new home in Dickson, TN. We will forever be grateful and honored to have known Don and to have been able to call him our friend. He will be missed but his art will always live on as well as his memory.
Ingo Reichmann
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Duke, sorry about the sad news of your Dad's passing.
I'm thinking of you and send my condolences to the entire Marr family. Herzliches Beileid!
Aleta Reed
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
I have many fond memories of Don Marr and the Hendrix Art Department. May God bless and comfort his family in the days to come.
Marci Jackson Ward
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Sorry to hear this. His art and presence on campus were a blessing. Hendrix 1990
Roger Morse (1987)
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Remembering a very funny moment from an Art History class in Reeves Recital Hall where we were passionately discussing the importance and interpretation of the empty space between people in a painting -- I think it was a Matisse, but it could have been a Gauguin... it was so long ago. Regardless, it is a conversation I fondly recall for its esoteric abstract absurdity and very helping me think and perceive beyond my limited capacities, something I value to this day. Thank you, Professor Marr, for your continued influence!
Joanna Delavan
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Dr. Marr was a wonderful person, artist, and teacher. I had him for many classes, and enjoyed many conversations with him outside of class about art. He will be missed, but his wonderful legacy of artwork will thankfully be enjoyed by many for years to come.
Hugh McCastlain
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
I am sad to hear of Don's passing (he was always "Professor Marr" when I was at Hendrix, '65). As a physics major it was such a joy to take a class with Don...loved his energy. And I still remember and talk about the gorgeous paintings with the gold foil. Now he will be adding some gold to our evening sunsets as we all remember him and treasure his life.
Chris Hemann
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Prof Marr made learning about Art History a treat even for a science major. Thanks for opening my eyes to a new world.
Kathie Velte
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Deeply saddened by the loss of Mr. Marr! My thoughts and prayers go out to all his family & friends! Without a doubt, he will be missed, and never forgotten. He was someone you'd always remember, and looked forward to seeing again! His absence will be felt deeply at C.C.C.
I'm so thankful that I took the time to watch (and tear up) whenever he and Camilla would grace the dance floor while Betty Ward played the piano, and the songs they loved so much. It was truly a blessing to see. It will stay in my heart forever. Blessings & peace to you all, Kathie
Jeff McLean
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
I was a mathematics and physics student who took an extra art class because of Don Marr. He was a wonderful teacher, encouraging me to explore other sides of my life. I will always be grateful to have studied with him, and I was so glad to reconnect when I was back for the presidential inaguration a few years ago. (Class of 66)
Shell Black
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Duke - Sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. I'm glad that I was able to be at Hendrix while he was teaching. My thoughts are with you... Shell '90
Bill Wiedower
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Don was a great teacher and friend. He talked me out of an art career and into architecture. I will always be grateful, and will miss him.
Nancy Moix
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Camilla & Family, please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Gloria Bronte Lane
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
I'm so sorry to hear of Don Marr's passing. Taking art classes from him back in the 60's was a truly wonderful experience; it meant a lot to me and he was a good teacher. All my sympathy to his family.
Renee' Bresaw and Family
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Praying for your family during this time. The impact of Mr. Marr's work will be felt across many generations of artist.
Val Segalla
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Holly and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time. Recall all of the memories that make you smile and keep them close. Your father left behind a wonderful legacy -- in his family and his artwork.
Sincerely yours,
Val Segalla
Karen Stuckey Autrey
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
The Stuckey family (Dr. John Stuckey and family) wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the immediate and extended Marr family as you celebrate Don's remarkable life.