Richard Lee Karr

Obituary

Richard Lee Karr

Oct. 12, 1939 - April 1, 2025

McCOOK, Neb. - On April 1, 2025, Richard Lee Karr was surrounded by his family when he peacefully passed away at his home in McCook, Neb. He was 85 years old.

Richard was born in Paxton, Neb., on Oct. 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 nine 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 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, Ariz.; and other family.

Because of his connections to both communities, family will have two 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, North Platte, Neb. is in charge of arrangements.