Jerry R. Kerr

Jerry Ronald “Ronnie” Kerr,

75, passed away suddenly on Oct. 3, 2019, in Hot Springs, Ark.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 7,

2019, at First United Methodist Church, 1100 Central Ave., Hot Springs, Ark., with the Rev. David Moseley officiating. Visitation will be immediately before the service from 10–11:30 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in Crestview Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are by CaruthHale Funeral Home.

Ronnie was born in Hazen, Ark., to the late Chester and Lucille Kerr on Jan. 1, 1944. He is a graduate of Stuttgart High School and received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Henderson State University. He married Elizabeth Ann Brown on July 25, 1969, in Malvern, Ark. He dedicated his life to coaching and mentoring young people in high school and college, and developed lifelong friendships through his work with Arkansas high school athletics, Arkansas Activities Association and Arkansas Boys State. He coached high school football in Malvern, Ocala, Fla., Clarendon, Nashville and Des Arc. He continued his coaching career at the college level, coaching at both the University of Central Arkansas and Henderson State University. After coaching, he served as Athletic Director for Benton Public Schools until his retirement. In 1961, he attended Arkansas Boys State for the first time as a delegate from Stuttgart High School. He returned every year as first a junior then senior counselor. His last Boys State was in May of this year. Ronnie will forever be remembered for his obsession with his yard, his love/hate relationship with his golf game, and his diehard devotion to his beloved St. Louis Cardinals. He was the best husband, father and “Pop” and he will be loved and missed.

Ronnie is preceded in death by his parents; and his brothers, Chester Wayne Kerr, James Morton Kerr and Harold Dale Kerr.

Ronnie is survived by his wife, Ann; their daughter, Paige Smith; her husband, Steve; and the center of Ronnie’s world and the love of his life, his granddaughter, Abby. He is also survived by his sister, Charlotte Joann Kreimeier; and his brother, Michael Richard Kerr.

Pallbearers will be Ronnie’s nephews, Ross Brown, Rob Brown, Russell Brown, Matt Hillis, Matt Morgan, Nick Bartelt, Marvin Lynn Kreimeier, Ricky Kerr, Shane Kerr and Greg Kerr.

Memorial donations may be made to the Arkansas Activities Association at 3920 Richards Road, North Little Rock, Ark.

72117, or First United Methodist Church, 1100 Central Ave., Hot Springs, Ark. 71901.

Ronnie’s family wishes to extend our sincere gratitude for the outpouring of love, support, and wonderful memories shared by the many friends, players and coaches.

Guests may register at https://www.caruth-hale.com.