John Kerr

John Estabrook Kerr, 90, died peacefully Thursday, March 8, 2012 from complications related to Alzheimer's disease. Born in Grundy Center, Iowa on March 11, 1921, to Edward and Sophia Kerr, he was known to friends and family as "Brooks". He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Grundy Center High School in June 1938. He interrupted his studies at Iowa State College (now Iowa State University) to serve in WWII in the U.S. Army as a First Lieutenant in the 302 nd Field Artillery Battalion, Infantry Division. He worked as a Forward Artillery Observer for 105 mm Howitzers in the European Theater. During the war he met Dorothy Bass of Ft. Smith, Arkansas, and they married in 1946. They returned to Iowa where Brooks completed his degree in Chemical Engineering at Iowa State in 1948, and later that year they moved to Kankakee, Illinois. Brooks worked his entire career with General Mills Chemical Division, which later became Henkel Chemicals. His specialty was in the production of Vitamin E. Brooks' tenure also included one year in Ossining, NY and four years in Minneapolis, MN. He retired in 1978, and he and Dorothy continued living in Kankakee until 2011 when they moved to The Gables Assisted Living Center in Pocatello, Idaho to be near their son John and family. A lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church, Brooks was known for his kindness and his positive attitude. His smile and quiet confidence in the future inevitably provided encouragement to both family and friends. He always said that "things would work out for the best," an attitude that brought calm, patience and perspective to whatever the situation. He loved golf and fly-fishing and fished in streams from Idaho (Island Park was his favorite) to as far away as Kenya. A very proud American, he has flown the American flag in front of his house for the last forty years. Brooks is survived by his wife of 65 years, Dorothy, his two children Ann Barrow and John Kerr, their spouses Michael Barrow and Caroline Kerr, and four grandchildren, John Andrew and Lauren Barrow, and Kristen and Daniel Kerr. The family wishes to express sincere gratitude to the staff at the Gables in Pocatello -- particularly to Angie, Brooke, Aimee and Sara, and the rest of the angels whose loving care brightened Brooks' life every day. Heartfelt thanks also go to Kara, Michael and the staff at Creekside/Encompass Hospice for their thoughtful kindness during the final weeks of Brooks' life. A funeral service will be held at Colonial Funeral Home, Monday, March 12, 2012, at 1:00 pm. Military honors will follow at Mountain View Cemetery, Pocatello, Idaho. Condolences may be made to the family at http://www.Colonial-FuneralHome.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Organization via the following website: http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp Video Tribute