John “Jack” William Kerr ’57

John “Jack” William Kerr ’57, longtime St. Charles, Ill., resident, passed away at home July 2, 2012. Kerr was born Feb. 24, 1935, and raised in Jacksonville, Fla., where many of his relatives still reside. Kerr attended Davidson, where he pledged Sigma Alpha Epsilon, a national fraternity. Kerr graduated from Davidson with a B.A. in economics. Kerr married Mary Celestia Neder in 1960. In 1963, they moved to St. Petersburg, Fla. Kerr was employed by Allstate Insurance Company. Kerr and his family were transferred to Marietta, Ga., in 1980. In 1985, they transferred again from Marietta to St. Charles. Kerr retired from Allstate Insurance Company in 1995, after 32 years of service. After graduating from college, Kerr joined the U.S. Army, where he was commissioned as a second lieutenant, and received orders to report for active duty for two years. In 1959, Kerr was released from active duty and was reassigned to the U.S. Army Reserves. Kerr served in various positions while in the Army. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel. After 30 years of service in the U.S. Army Reserves, he retired in 1987. Kerr had been very involved in the Fox Valley community since moving there in 1985 from Marietta, Ga., with his wife of 52 years, Mary Neder Kerr, 36W718 Oak Ridge Ln., Saint Charles, IL 60174. Community service was very important to him; this is evident in the many organizations to which he gave his time and talents. Kerr had served as a commissioner of the St. Charles Park District Board since 1987. Throughout the years, Kerr served in many capacities on the park board: president, vice-president, treasurer, and secretary. He was also a representative and treasurer for the Norris Cultural Arts Center Board. Kerr was also a representative on the Kane County Citizens Advisory Committee, River Corridor Foundation, the Kane County Judicial Center Master Plan Committee, and the Fox Valley Special Recreation Association. Kerr was also an active member of the St. Charles Kiwanis Club, was past president of the B.O.Y.S. (Benevolent Order of Youthful Seniors) Club, and he served as a Republican precinct committee member. Kerr was also a very active member of St. Charles Episcopal Church, where he served as a Sunday school teacher, as chairman of the stewardship committee, and as senior warden. Kerr is survived by his wife, Mary; his son, John William, Jr. (Krsten); his daughter, Jennifer Kerr Robinson; his two grandsons, Joshua Michael and Jacob Thomas; his sisters, Virginia Houser and Ellene McKinney; and many nephews, nieces, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ellen and James Kerr, and two brothers, James K. Kerr, Jr. and Robert Kerr. Memorials may be made to the Davidson College Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 7174, Davidson, NC 28035-7174.