Dr. Carter Karr

Dr. Carter Edmond Karr was born March 5, 1934, in Crosbyton, Texas, the son of Odie and Frances Carter Karr. Grandparents in the Karr and Carter families were pioneers in Crosbyton. His great-grandfather, Dr. J.W. Carter, was the first physician in Crosby County. 

 Carter was the eldest of six children and enjoyed frequent reunions and visits with his brothers and sisters. His family moved to Amarillo in 1945. He graduated from Amarillo High School, where he was the captain of the baseball team in 1952, Amarillo College, where he was awarded Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year in 1954, and attended WTSU (WT A&M). He married his high school sweetheart, Lucy Pitt, in 1954 and went on to graduate from Baylor College of Dentistry in 1959. He then served two years in the U.S. Air Force Dental Corps in Clovis, N.M.

He practiced dentistry in Amarillo in private practice from 1962 until 1992. He then worked for Texas Tech in the dental clinic at the Clements Unit for 13 years. After 35 years of practicing dentistry, he received his life membership from the American Dental Association. At the state dental meeting in San Antonio in May 2009, he received honors for 50 years of membership in the Texas Dental Association. 

Carter served as President of the Panhandle District Dental Society and twice as the President of Tascosa Country Club. He was a board member of the Amarillo Children’s Home. He served on the Board of Regents at Amarillo College for six years. He loved sports and played baseball at Amarillo High School and Amarillo College. In later years, he played tennis and golf and loved to follow his children in their sports and activities. He enjoyed his classic 1954 MG, a gift from his son Tom. He and Lucy enjoyed traveling, especially to Israel, Italy, Germany, England, and across the U.S. 

Carter was a man of great faith and was a member of Hillside Christian Church and the Faithbuilders class. He taught the Fisherman class for over 15 years, served as a Gideon for many years, and volunteered at Hospice, who eventually took care of him. Carter was very involved in the Navigators Christian Ministry and traveled with them to Africa on a mission trip to mentor African businessmen. He also went to Belarus twice to perform dental work for female inmates. Carter and his son Tom also went on a dental mission trip to Guatemala with Hillside Church.

Carter was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather, and he loved spending time with his family, including his wife, Lucy. They just celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary! They had three children: Sherry Karr Adkins, Tom Karr and wife Cindy, Teresa Karr Rollins, and husband Lynn. He also loved his 11 grandchildren and loved being with them: Chris Adkins and wife Sarah, Andrea Adkins, Jessica Karr, Randall Karr, Rebecca Borden, and husband Austin, Meredith Hatcher and husband Jeffrey, Alex Rollins and wife Kristen, Kyle Rollins and wife Madi, David Mills and wife Sarah, and Betsy Mills. He was also so blessed to have eight great-grandchildren: Sophie Karr, Vo & Si Henson, Ayden & Asher Borden, Stella Adkins, Anna Mills, and Emma Hatcher. 

Carter was preceded in death by his parents, brother Bud Karr, and grandson Zach Mills. He is also survived by brother David Karr and wife Diane, sister Carolyn Christian, sister Edie Hixson, and husband Jim, and brother Ted Karr and wife Jan. 

The family will receive guests Friday evening, November 8th, from 6:00 PM until 7:30 PM at Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 South Georgia. On Saturday, November 9th, a private family committal service will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery, followed by a Celebration of Life at Hillside Christian Church at 11:00 a.m., 6100 S. Soncy Rd., Amarillo.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000 Boone, N.C. 28607, or Hillside Christian Church Missions, 6100 S. Soncy, Amarillo, TX 79119.