jimmie J. Kerr

Jimmie J. Kerr, of Rose bud, passes away peacefully Tuesday morning May 17, 2011. He was born in Rose Bud on July 13, 1933 to Allen Jake and Fairy Bell Kerr (both deceased.) Following graduation from Rose Bud High School, Jim worked for General Motors in Detroit for 10 years, attaining the distinction of being the youngest (at that time) assistant general manager of the Cadillac assembly plant. During his tenure at GM, Jim was drafted and served in the US Army during the Korean War era. The decline of family life in Detroit caused Jim to pack up his young family and move back to his hometown of Rose Bud in 1962. He then began the life of an entrepreneur by opening an independent service station (gas was 26.9 cents/gallon.) Over the next forty years, Jim's business ventures included sprigging Bermuda grass over thousands of acres, custom hay bailing, raising cattle, driving big rigs as an owner-operator, owning a bowling alley, and funding his retirement by turning his last farm into a subdivision. Always a hard worker, he was fond of saying "if I ever made it home before dark, my own dogs would bark at me. Jim was a very sociable person and had numerous friends, many of whom shared his passions for hunting and fishing. He was an especially avid bird hunter and was known for raising and training excellent pointers and setters. He is survived by his children, Kevin M. Kerr (Sue) and Sherry Bruno; grandchildren, Ian, Leila, & Gabriel Kerr, all of North Little Rock, Ark.; sister, Maxine Heigle (Buck) of Heber Springs, Ark.; nephews Lance Heigle of Heber Springs, Ark. and Thomas Heigle of New York City, N.Y., as well as many other relatives and friends. Visitation will be Thursday, May 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Family Funeral Home in Heber Springs. Funeral services will be held May 20 at 2 p.m. at St. Mary's Church on St. Mary's Lane in Rose Bud. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 1202 Main St., Suite 215, Little Rock, Ark. 72202 (www.ALZ.org), or any Alzheimer's organization of choice. Arrangements by Family Funeral Services, 100 W Searcy, Heber Springs, Ark. www.dwightfamilyfuneral.com.