Richard Stanley Kerr

Richard Stanley Kerr passed away on October 13, 2023 surrounded by his loving family and friends. Richard (or Dick as he was known) was born on February 24, 1935 in Lynwood, California, growing up in the shadow of World War II. He committed his life to Jesus Christ as a young boy and was very active in music and youth groups at the Long Beach Foursquare Church. Early on, he developed a love of horses and was given a sorrel filly, Pat, on which he mimicked the Wild West cowboys along the LA River by performing stunts and staging "shootouts" at the O.K. Corral. During these early years, he also taught himself to play the upright bass by listening to George Shearing records. In 1955, he joined the U.S. Army to support his country in the Korean War. In the same year, he found the love of his life, Donna Solberg. They were married in San Gabriel, California. After being honorably discharged, they relocated to Porterville, California, raised four daughters, and established a business, "Dick Kerr Pool Service", that he operated until he retired in 1998. Dick and Donna moved to Knoxville, Tennessee in 2004 where they found a church home, Sevier Heights Baptist, and have served there for 18 years through Bible fellowship and the orchestra. Dick had a great love of the Lord and glorified God with music throughout his life. Later on, he joined several bluegrass bands and immensely enjoyed playing with them. He was a kind and gentle man. His sense of humor uplifted everyone around him, always ready with a joke and slapstick comedy. He was loved by everyone who met him. He is survived by his wife of nearly seven decades, Donna Kerr of Powell, TN; his four daughters, Sherry Barber of Knoxville, TN; Susan Dabney of Lompoc, CA; Kathi Saccheri of Shallotte, NC; and Aleta Mueller of California Hot Springs, CA. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and five nieces and nephews. His parents, Paul and Helen Kerr, and his sister, Carolyn Young, preceded him in death. The family will receive friends from 10:00 am to 11:00 am Thursday, October 19, 2023 at Rose Funeral & Cremation-Broadway. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 am with Rev. Dr. Jon Cormack officiating. Interment will follow at 12:30 pm October 19, 2023 at East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery with Full Military Honors conducted by the East Tennessee Veterans Honor Guard.

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Richard Stanley Kerr

February 24, 1935 - October 13, 2023