James A. Carr

James Anthony Carr Jr. died peacefully at his home in Corvallis, Oregon, the morning of May 5, 2017. James (known as Jamie by his family) was born in January 20, 1940 to parents James Carr and Julie Anne (Benton) Carr in Hood River. He was raised with his four sisters in a house built by his maternal grandfather, Charles King Benton (1885-1969). He spent his youth working on the family ranch where they grew apples, pears and cherries. Jamie attended WyEast High School (1958), as did Mary Martha Parker, who he married in September 15, 1962 at Hood River. Jamie attended OSU and graduated in 1965 with a degree in physics and mathematics. He hoped to continue on at OSU and get a masters in computer science, but the program was still in development. With a young baby and another on the way, he decided to take a job at Reynolds Metals in Portland. An early adopter of the computer, Jamie had a keen intellect coupled with the ability to explain how man-made objects and nature function together in a way that people could readily grasp. Jamie and Mary Martha had five children and raised them predominantly in Corvallis. James (known as Jim to his coworkers) worked for CH2M Hill as an Instrumentation and Controls Engineer (starting in 1973) for 35 years. He was a mentor and friend to many in his field, and was well known for organizing department crawdad hunts. Jamie enjoyed maintaining his blueberry patch, methodically weighing and logging each harvest. Jamie was afflicted with Alzheimer’s in his last few years, but while his memory faded, his kind, calm nature remained. He will be missed by all who knew him. Jamie was preceded in death by his parents James Carr (1905-1958) and Julie Ann Carr (1909-1995); sister Molly See (1935-2007), and sister Ann Haun (1936-2010). He is survived by his wife of 54 years Mary Martha Carr; his daughter Margaret Carr (Lek Chinsangaram), daughter Katherine Annala (Carl Annala), daughter Maureen Carr (Daniel Charlson), daughter Karen Carr (Robert Bolles; and son James A. Carr III (Melissa Baltagi Carr). He is survived by his sisters Emily Keesey and Laurie Milford. Also surviving him are his grandchildren, Tevan, Petra, Miram, Haemish, Jenna and his newest grandchild, Thomas, who Jamie was able to meet a week before passing away. Jamie was a quiet, careful, practical man who focused on providing for his family. He was fair, reliable, helpful and appreciative. There will be a memorial at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 17, at McHenry Funeral Home in Corvallis. Interment will follow at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Corvallis. A reception follows at the family home.

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James A. Carr

January 20, 1940 - May 5, 2017