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Ann Kerr of Norman died June 29 after an extended illness. She departed peacefully and gently at home surrounded by her family, most notably her husband of 51 years, Keith Kerr.
Ann is survived by her husband, Keith; daughter, Ellen Watson of Yukon, who tirelessly supported Keith in nursing Ann through her final years; daughter, Lisa Kerr of Charleston, W.Va.; son, John Kerr of Norman; and daughter, Kristi White and grandchildren Melissa and Jason White of Long Beach, Calif.
Our dear wife, mother and grandmother was born Ann Medrick in Yonkers, N.Y. on Oct. 23, 1928. Ann boldly traveled to Argentina after high school to become a translator/secretary in the United States Foreign Service. She met Keith Kerr there, when he was a young sergeant in the United States Marine Corps, and they married a few years later in New York. Ann loyally followed her husband Keith as his Marine Corps assignments took them from one edge of the USA to the other. When Keith retired from the military in 1973, the family settled in Norman.
Ann developed strong spiritual connections to her community through her many years working with the Norman Alcohol Information Center, now known as Norman Addiction Information and Counseling (NAIC).
Services were private. The family would like to thank Lifecare Oklahoma Hospice for their caring support and requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to NAIC.
Keith Kerr, 76, of Norman, loving husband, father and world’s greatest grandpa, passed away Tuesday, July 3, 2012, after a sudden and severe illness.
A memorial will be 4 p.m. Saturday at Iron Chapel Freewill Baptist Church, a small country church 12 miles west of Purcell on Highway 39, then one mile north on May Avenue.
Mugs of coffee will be raised in Keith’s honor among the intellectual elite of Norman’s coffee shops, where he participated in a decades-long tradition of daily “meetings.” Keith’s charming smile and laconic humor touched everyone he met, and even casual acquaintances frequently remarked he was “the nicest man.” He was a steady rock of trustworthy support in any time of need. Although Keith has left our lives, he will never leave our hearts, because he taught us how to laugh and to love.
Born in Oklahoma City to Jennings Bryan “Bill” and Novieline Kerr, Keith served 20 years as a helicopter and fixed-wing pilot in the U.S. Marine Corps. A veteran of three tours of duty in Vietnam, Keith retired with a rank of major and was twice awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, as well as other distinctions.
Keith’s wife of 51 years, Ann, preceded him in death last summer. Ann and Keith met and courted in Argentina, where Ann worked for the Foreign Service and Keith served as a color guard at the Embassy. They married in Ann’s home state of New York.
After his retirement, Keith was cherished by many as the proprietor of Kerr’s Store, near Dibble. During his diverse civilian career, Keith also ran a water well drilling company, sold real estate and insurance, and ran and piloted a local charter airline. Keith cultivated his stunning garden with equal talent and dedication.
He was rumored to associate frequently with the “Pride of Norman,” a nationally renowned golfing foursome, and other skilled practitioners of the golfing arts. However, despite his fame and fortune, Keith never faltered in lovingly caring for his wife, Ann, throughout her long illness.
Keith is survived by daughter, Lisa Kerr of Charleston, W.V.; daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren, Kristi, Jim, Melissa and Jason White, all of Long Beach, Calif.; daughter and son-in-law, Ellen and Dennis Watson; son, John Kerr; cousin, Beth Simpson; and his beloved companion, Peanut.
In lieu of flowers, Peanut asks that donations be directed to Peanut’s alma mater, Second Chance Animal Rescue in Norman.
Arrangements are by Havenbrook Funeral Home in Norman.
Online condolences may be shared at www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com.
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