On April 1, 2025, Richard Lee Karr was surrounded by his family when he
peacefully passed away at his home in McCook, NE. He was 85 years old.
Richard was born in Paxton, NE, on October 12, 1939, to Elsworth and
Hazel (Sawyer) Karr. In 1942, the family moved to North Platte, where he
grew up and graduated high school in 1958. A few months later, Richard
enlisted into the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Germany when he
received his honorable discharge in 1961. He then returned home and
went to work for Crow Construction and Associates Finance.
On June 7, 1964, Richard married Sharon Phillips in North Platte. In
1969, the couple moved to Colorado Springs so Richard could follow his
passion of becoming a minister. He studied at the Nazarene Bible
College then returned to Nebraska. His first pastoral position was in
Arnold, then the family moved to McCook where Richard was the pastor at
the Nazarene Church for 23 years until retiring in 1996.
Retirement didn’t last long – Richard became the pastor at McCook Bible
Church for a couple years, pastored at Bethel Missionary Church in
Culbertson for 9 years, was a Hospice volunteer, working in North Platte
from 2006-2019, then he officially retired. Along with all his
churches, he was also a member of the First Church of the Nazarene in North
Platte.
Richard was a man of God and had a kind soul. He loved what he did and
was always helpful, soft spoken, and interested in people.
He was preceded in death by his father, Elsworth; his mother, Hazel Karr
Day; and his brother, Elsworth Karr.
Richard leaves behind his wife, Sharon, and children, Darrin (Jeri
Lynn), Michael (Angie) and Sandra Karr, all of McCook; grandchildren,
Alyssa Titus (Jacob), Emily Lytle (Tanner), and Tyson Karr (Kacee);
great-grandsons, Roman Lytle and Boone Karr; his sister, Marilyn Nelson
(Richard) of North Platte; brother, Dennis Karr (Paula) of Mesa, AZ; and
other family.
Because of his connections to both communities, the family will have 2
separate visitation days. They will greet friends and family on Monday,
April 14, from 3-5 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel in North Platte and
also on Saturday, April 26, from 3-6 p.m. at the McCook Christian
Church. Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com.
Private family services will be held in Fort McPherson National
Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are to the hospice
organizations: Brookestone Home Health & Hospice in North Platte or
Community Hospital Health Foundation for Hospice in McCook.
Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of the arrangements.
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