James J. Karr Jr's Obituary
James J. Karr Jr, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully in Westlake, Ohio, on October 17, 2024, at the age of 93. Born on August 18, 1931, in Cleveland, Ohio, Jim was the son of James and Cecelia Karr and grew up in Strongsville with his cherished siblings: Barbara Johnston and the late Virginia Dougherty, Robert Karr and Paul Karr.
A passionate car enthusiast and proud redhead, Jim earned the nickname “Red Karr” during his time at Strongsville High School, class of 1949, where he became known for his iconic red 1944 Ford convertible. It was in that very car that he took his future wife, Frances Ptak, on a memorable date to the beach. After serving three years in the U.S. Air Force in Korea, Jim and Fran continued their romance, culminating in their marriage on October 6, 1956, a partnership that would last an incredible 67 years.
Jim's love for cars began at the age of 14 when he started working alongside his father at Karr’s Sohio Service Station. He later followed in his father’s entrepreneurial footsteps by establishing Karr’s Custom Cleaners, a successful dry cleaning business that supported his growing family of seven children.
Jim and Fran's legacy is a vibrant family that includes their seven children: Barbara (Thomas) Cagley, James (Sandra) Karr, Mary (William) Doerge, Laurette (Todd) Maddock, Mark (Lynne) Karr, Christopher Karr, and Kevin (Jill) Karr. The family blossomed further with the arrival of 17 grandchildren: Meghan, Alison, Sterling, Aaron, Caralyn, William, Michael, Jacob, Colin, Ian, Olivia, Nathan, Rebecca, Logan, Alexandra, Jared, and Riley. Jim’s signature dimple in his chin lives on in his great-grandchildren: Warren, Henry, Ada, Ari, Bo, Georgia, Delilah, and Mathew.
Jim was also an avid golfer, a sport he loved dearly. Many members of the Karr family share this passion, and it was always a joy to hit the links with Dad, affectionately known as Papa. Even as he faced health challenges requiring constant oxygen, Jim refused to let that stop him. He proudly donned an oxygen concentrator backpack and continued to enjoy playing golf every Thursday with his friends, showcasing his unwavering spirit and love for the game.
Jim’s love story with Fran began with that beach date, and their shared passion for water activities became a cherished family tradition. Over the years, Jim owned several boats, which provided endless weekends filled with skiing, fishing, and family adventures. Later, he transitioned to camping trips, exploring the country with his family and making detours to pick up parts for his beloved 1953 Studebaker. His skills as a mechanic never faded; the car he meticulously rebuilt with original parts won first place at numerous car shows across the country.
Jim will be deeply missed but fondly remembered for his engaging smile and warm presence. Wherever he went, Jim had a remarkable gift for making friends and putting people at ease. His genuine kindness and approachability created lasting connections, ensuring that everyone felt comfortable and valued in his company. His legacy of love, friendship, and passion for family, cars, and golf will continue to inspire generations to come.
ALL SERVICES FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2024. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Strongsville, Ohio on Friday, November 8, 2024 at 10:00am with a reception to follow. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 17876 St. Clair Ave, Cleveland OH 44110.
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