Obituary of Harris A. Carr

Harris Armstrong Carr (90) passed away peacefully Saturday, October 24, 2015. Harris was born August 22, 1925 in Germantown to Hiram Ash and Gwendolyn Harris. The youngest of his siblings, he was raised with three sisters and four brothers, all of whom preceded him in death. Harris proudly served in World War II as a sergeant in the Army, L Company, 3rd battalion, 117th infantry regiment (Breakthrough) of the 30th infantry Division. He enlisted while still in high school in 1943. His battalion traveled to England, where they witnessed the preparation for D-day air strikes. A few days later his battalion landed at Omaha Beach in Normandy, France. He was later wounded in Ubach, Germany and spent time in a London hospital before being discharged December 1945 with a Bronze Metal and Purple Heart. In his oral history he notes "after being discharged from the Army in 1945 and returning home, I was still too young to vote." Among the many letters that he wrote to his mother during the war, one dated June 6, 1944 stands out – written from an encampment in Petworth, England while on regimental guard duty. In it he says "take another look at the date of this letter (it) will go down in history, because today the big push has started. All day today and ever since last night, there has been a steady roar from all kinds of fighter and bomber planes". He continues, "don't worry about me – with the help of God and American backbone, we'll have this thing over in no time at all". Upon returning from Europe and while working at Leeds & Northrup (L&N), he met his loving wife, Ann Alcott Owen, to whom he was wed for 66 magnificent years. Harris worked for L&N 40 years retiring in 1988. During his tenure with L&N he earned an Associate's Degree in electrical circuit design from Temple University and a Bachelor of Science in Physics from LaSalle College. He accomplished this through personal commitment over eleven years of night school and the loving support of his family. Harris was the first of his family to earn a degree. He was committed to professional development and the advancement of process instrument controls. Harris served as president of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Instrument Society of America. Harris and Ann both committed themselves in love to their children, Tim and Emilie, teaching Christian principles from an early age, always showing by example the importance of hard work, responsibility, caring for others, faith in the one true God, and hope that can be shared. Harris was the ultimate handyman at home. He taught Tim and Emilie all he knew about home improvements and repairs, always sharing his ideals for self-sufficiency. He loved organic gardening, photography, and was an avid collector of stamps, license plates and beer cans. He also had a passion for ice cream and Klondike bars Harris loved to sing and was involved in music most of his life as choir member, choral group member, and brass instrumentalist. He mastered the trumpet in high school and sang bass/baritone in the choir at the Second Baptist Church of Germantown where he and Ann were married. His greatest joy was singing in the choir at the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill from the time Tim and Emilie went to college until he could sing no more. After retiring, he joined the Mainliners Barbershop choral group and for many years proudly displayed "2UISing" on his license plate. He and Ann enjoyed long walks on the beach as they spent their early married years in Ocean City and then summers in Stone Harbor (NJ) as a family. They constantly shared themselves with family and friends on many occasions at home and traveling to enjoy the fellowship of others. Family celebrations were always held in their home. Many of their high school colleagues remain life-long friends to this day. Harris warmly welcomed his daughter-in-law, Cindy to the family when she and Tim were married. He and Ann spent many memorable times traveling to Atlanta, Los Angeles, Virginia, and North Carolina to spend time in all the places Cindy and Tim lived and vacationing at the beach in South Carolina. Harris especially loved his grandson, Daniel Owen Carr with whom he shared wisdom, knowledge, and some great times – like meeting Daniel's every challenge as a child including rolling down the hill in front of our family home. He and Daniel share many traits, which were lovingly exhibited in their times together and are now part of a new generation. Harris will be missed by many. The memory of his smile, bright blue eyes, and compassionate heart will live on to strengthen the spirit of those he loves most and those fortunate enough to have known him. Interment will be in the garden at the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill. A memorial service to celebrate Harris' life will take place at 1:00 PM EST, Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill, 8855 Germantown Pike, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19118. Condolences may be sent through this website.