Homer Burke Carr

On Friday, February 19, 2010, Homer Burke Carr went to be with his Lord. Burke was the son of Homer Heatwell Carr and Leta Louverta Bowers and was born in Cumberland, MD. He spent his early years in Ridgeley, WV until his family moved to Baltimore during the Depression and settled in the Govans section of the city. He was active in Boy Scouts and the Govans Methodist Church and graduated from Baltimore City College in 1941.

Burke enlisted in the Army in October 1942, and served in the Army Signal Corps with the 9th Air Force, installing radar in England until D-Day. He entered France at Utah Beach and fought in France, Luxemburg, Belgium, Holland, and Germany, where he was involved in the Battle of the Bulge. Discharged from the service in October 1945, he had earned the rank of Sergeant and was awarded the Belgian Fourragere.

Burke married Betty Jean Rupert in the Govans Methodist Church; they lived in Loch Raven Village before moving to Bel Air, MD, where they have lived for fifty years. Burke was a Field Engineer for Honeywell, then for Fisher & Porter where he served as Service Manager. He was active in Babcock Memorial Presbyterian Church, serving as Elder, Deacon, and Trustee, as well as, occasionally teaching the Men's Bible Class. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed playing golf.

After retirement, Burke began woodcarving. He started with ducks, many of which took ribbons in competition. Later he carved Santas, Native Americans, fish, and many kinds of wild game. He also enjoyed carving walking sticks and canes. Many of his carvings were freely given to family and friends alike. At the time of his death, he was in the process of carving a wild turkey, which he said was his most difficult project.

Burke is survived by his wife, Jean, two daughters, Elaine Michael and her husband, Raymond, and Diane Jacobson; four grandchildren, Creig Jacobson, Erin Jacobson, Nathan Michael, and Jessica Claudy and her husband, Eric; two great-grandchildren, Kirsten Claudy and Bailey Claudy.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Memorial Fund of First Presbyterian Church, 224 N. Main St., Bel Air, MD 21014.