Retired Harding administrator, civic leader dies
SEARCY, Ark. — Retired Harding University administrator and well-known Searcy civic leader James F. (Jimmy) Carr Jr. died April 1 after a short illness.
Carr, 95, joined the Harding staff in 1970 as assistant dean. In 1973 he became assistant to the president, a position he held until he retired in 1997.
Carr spent more than 50 years of his career in higher education.
Known for his boundless energy and creative thinking, Carr helped provide the initial efforts for the development of the College of Nursing, the Elderhostel program, and Harding Place on the University’s campus.
“Dr. Jimmy Carr was one of a kind in terms of his leadership for Harding University over many years,” said David Burks, Harding president.
“It was Dr. Carr who created the expression that has been used for years, ‘It is great to be at Harding.'”
Following his retirement from Harding, he served as assistant to the president of White County Medical Center. He served in that post until 2008 when he decided it was time to “permanently retire,” but he continued to be an active volunteer at the hospital.
For many years he was an elder of the College church, where he and his wife, Stephanie, attended since moving to Searcy.
A memorial service for Carr will be held at 4 p.m. April 6 at the College church.
Carr, 95, joined the Harding staff in 1970 as assistant dean. In 1973 he became assistant to the president, a position he held until he retired in 1997.
Carr spent more than 50 years of his career in higher education.
Known for his boundless energy and creative thinking, Carr helped provide the initial efforts for the development of the College of Nursing, the Elderhostel program, and Harding Place on the University’s campus.
“Dr. Jimmy Carr was one of a kind in terms of his leadership for Harding University over many years,” said David Burks, Harding president.
“It was Dr. Carr who created the expression that has been used for years, ‘It is great to be at Harding.'”
Following his retirement from Harding, he served as assistant to the president of White County Medical Center. He served in that post until 2008 when he decided it was time to “permanently retire,” but he continued to be an active volunteer at the hospital.
For many years he was an elder of the College church, where he and his wife, Stephanie, attended since moving to Searcy.
A memorial service for Carr will be held at 4 p.m. April 6 at the College church.
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Ruthann Gardner
Harding University Graduate
Class of 1991
USA