Ronald E. "Pops" Carr

Ronald E. Carr, 77, of Alpha, formerly of Galesburg, IL, passed away on Wednesday, November 6, 2019, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria, IL.  A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 9, 2019, at Alpha United Methodist Church, Alpha, IL.  Reverend Zackary T. Glenn will officiate.  Visitation will be held from 10 – 11 a.m., prior to the funeral service.  A Celebration of Life will follow the service at the Alpha American Legion.  Cremation rites will be accorded following the services and private inurnment will be held on Monday at Oaklawn Cemetery, Galesburg.  Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory – Geneseo Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.

Ron was born on February 24, 1942, the son of Boon and Marian (Whitcomb) Carr, in Quincy, IL.  He graduated from Galesburg High School.  He was employed by Gates Rubber Company for 37 years. After retiring from Gates, he was also employed by Galesburg Clinic for many years.  He was very active in the American Softball Association and was inducted into the Illinois Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame in 2012.  He organized and scheduled softball and volleyball leagues for many years for the City of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College, and Galesburg High School.  He served as ASA District Commissioner, Umpire in Chief, and ASA/IHSA umpire for decades, and enjoyed being a volleyball referee since 2000.  Diamond 1 at Lake Story Park is dedicated as Ron Carr Field in honor of his multiple years of service to the City of Galesburg and the sport of softball. For hobbies, Ron enjoyed bowling with the men’s church group and golfing with family and friends. He was one of the few individuals to accomplish multiple 300 games in bowling and a hole-in-one in golf. He was an avid Bears and Cubs fan, and a member of the Sons of the American Legion – Alpha Post 1197. 

Those left to cherish his memory include his children, Kevin (Lori) Carr, Galesburg, Julie (Wade Price) Martin, Phoenix, AZ, Kurt (Jenifer) Carr, North Carolina, and Ronda (Jason) Lambin, Alpha; grandchildren, Matt (Michelle) Carr, Blake Carr, Taylor (Blake) King, Tyler Martin, Alyssa Carr, Joseph Lambin, and Allison Lambin; great-grandchildren, Liam, Noah, and Maddox King, and Samuel Carr; sister, Arlene (Bob) Reathaford, Myrtle Beach, SC; brothers, Donald (Clara) Carr, Indianapolis, Larry (Jill) Carr, Hampton, IL, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Boon and Marian Carr.

Memorials may be directed to the Ronald Carr Memorial Fund.