Ronald Carr

Ronald Gerald “Ronnie” Carr, 82, passed away on Friday, January 19, 2018, at the Iowa Veteran’s Home in Marshalltown, Iowa. Memorial services will be held Thursday, May 24th, 10:30 a.m. at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, Iowa and Friday, May 25th, 11:00 a.m. at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home and Crematory located at 8201 Hickman Road in Urbandale, Iowa 50322-4307. Interment with military honors will take place at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Adel, Iowa at 2:00 p.m. Ronald Gerald “Ronnie” Carr was born on May 11, 1935, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the third son of Theodore Andrew Carr and Glynn Juanita (Robinson) Carr. He was raised in both Centerville and Des Moines, Iowa where he graduated from Roosevelt High School, worked mail delivery and joined the Army. While working in downtown Des Moines, Ronald met the love of his life Charlotte “Dixie” Nolan who worked at the phone company. They were married on June 18, 1958 and raised 6 children in the military life, they lived in many states and countries: Illinois, Colorado, New Jersey, Iowa, Virginia, Kansas, Germany, South Korea and Okinawa. Ronald retired Sargent 1st Class from a 28-year Army career on March 31, 1983 and he and Dixie returned to Des Moines where he started a career in property management and home repair until they moved to the Iowa Veterans Home in January 2010. Ron enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, many sports - basketball, baseball, track and boxing, he also enjoyed landscaping and gardening from a young age. Ronald was an accomplished boxer winning many titles over the years, One of his most memorable fights was winning a sparing match against “Cassius Clay” before he became Muhammad Ali. Ronald enjoyed participating on the Army's Boxing, Basketball and Football sports leagues. He was also a coach and referee for both youth and adult basketball, baseball and football teams. No matter where he lived he was always growing something a garden-flowers, tomatoes, pumpkins or mint. Ron’s hobbies included restoring and tinker on old cars. He enjoyed cooking and always owned a pet, mostly dogs and later in life cats. Ronald is preceded in death by his parents, Theodore Andrew Carr and Glynn Juanita (Robinson) (Carr) Jones, his step-father Frank Jones (1) Brother: Donald (4) Sisters: Eunice, Hilma, Norma, Alice. Daughters: Cheryl, Michele. Survivors include: (3) Brothers: Theodore, Kirby, Kelsey. (3) Sisters: Bonita, Francine, Illenana (10) Children: Ronda Carr-Kemp, Anthony Carr, Darla Carr, Brenda Carr-Fulton, Debra Carr, Teresa Carr Sherry Griffin, Adrian Carr-Brooks, Bryan Brooks, Robin Brooks, and (24) Grandchildren: Steven Rivera, Bianca Archuleta, Alloyia Sims, Alton Coward, Charlotte Sims, Laura Carr, Lori Sims, Sabrina Carr, Sofia Carr, Olivia Kemp, along with Tasha Allen, Carnell Bright, Jr., Tamara Francis, Tisha Brooks, LaShawn Broadus, LaTroyshia Brooks, Zachary Taylor (Brooks), Robin Brooks, Jr., Tiffany Calaway, Anthony Brooks, Lakreshia Brooks, DeAndre Calaway, Antonio Calaway. (38) Great-Grandchildren: Jasmine Riviera, Isaac Archuleta, Croix Rivera, Bryan Gardner, CieAyla Boyce, Isaac Archuleta, Adrian Archuleta, along with Senila Allen, Zahira Allen, Denesha Allen, Adrian Nummelly, Conrad Nummelly, Marcus Hall Jr, Martavin Hall, Kaveon Brooks, Kanajha Brooks, NaNomi Brooks, Javachy Brooks, Zachary Taylor, Jr., Ashley Taylor, Koren Brooks, Robin Brooks 3rd, Nicholas Calaway, Taden Calaway, Azlin Calaway, (2 unnamed), JaMarion Brooks, Jayceeona Brooks to name a few. (11) Great-Great Grandchildren: Anthony Allen Lopez, Ylanti Campbell to name a few, in addition to numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the Carr family would like for you to support the men and women who have served in the military by making a tax-deductible memorial contribution in honor of Ronald Carr to the Iowa Veterans Home 1301 Summit Street, Marshalltown, Iowa 50158. The family of Ronald Gerald “Ronnie” Carr wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the incredible staff at the (IVH) Iowa Veterans Home, family and friends and the Caldwell-Parish Funeral Home, and a deep felt thanks to James and Carolyn Raddatz for personally coming to Marshalltown to receive our father’s body.