Francis Joel Carr

Francis Joel Carr, 89, died February10, 2015 at Villa St Francis in Olathe, Kansas after a lengthy illness. He was born October 29, 1925 in Wichita, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Irene Carr and John Spencer Carr, brothers John Spencer Carr and Patrick William Carr. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Priscilla D Carr and stepchildren, John A Winchester (Gera), Patrice Winchester and Anne Winchester, 4 grandchildren, Albe and Lucas Sells, Lily and Carly Winchester, and 1 great grandson, Milo, and by two brothers, Edward J Carr and William T. Carr and many nieces and nephews. He and his extended family give special thanks to niece Kendra and her husband, Reed Garrett, for their compassion, kindness and gift of time.

Joel was a Christian Brother for over 25 years. He graduated in 1947 from St. Mary?s College in Minnesota with a BA in social studies. He was then assigned to De La Salle High school in Chicago where, as he said, he spent "four pleasant years teaching a full schedule and learning as he went!" Later he was transferred to St. Patrick?s in Chicago and he received his first Master?s degree in Education from DePaul University.

He taught in Memphis, Tennessee for two years and earned his second Master?s degree in Counseling from Memphis State University. It was a particular regret in his life that he never had the opportunity to use the counseling degree as he wished, but very few Catholic schools at that time could afford full time counselors.

Joel?s most memorable time was when he was transferred to De LaSalle High School in Kansas City in 1958. He spent 9 years there and could rarely venture out in Kansas City without meeting a former student. He later spent two years as Principal and Director of Bishop Carroll High school in Wichita, Kansas and then one year at O?Hara High School as Assistant Principal.

In 1973, he left the Christian Brothers. He married Priscilla "Pat" Downing Winchester in 1976; they celebrated their 25th anniversary in a memorable party at the Uptown Theater in 2001, and it was a point of honor to him that he could easily fit in the Jack Henry?s suit he was married in (with just a little tailoring to update). Pat and Joel celebrated their 38th wedding anniversary in December, 2014.They traveled to every state and enjoyed cruises to Alaska, the Panama Canal, and the Hawaiian Islands. They visited England, Ireland and France before health curtailed their travel.

Joel continued his career in education as Principal at Piper High School in Kansas City, Kansas ? then at Bishop Miege High School, St, Elizabeth grade school and St. Charles. After retirement from education, he worked part-time at the Red Bridge YMCA for 15 years.

Joel received many awards through the years, all of which reflected his compassion and desire to help people. The Christian Brothers recognized his service through several awards for leadership, loyalty and service, including an Alumnus of the Year Award in 1992. Westport Cooperative Services honored him for his work for Meals on Wheels which he faithfully delivered until health forced him to relinquish. He read to children, tutored students for their GED, read to the blind and continued social service as a volunteer in the Bridges Across the Heartland AmeriCorps program. Joel said he signed up with AmeriCorps "because I wanted to do something I feel good about. I wanted to not jut be active but to help people." That?s the Story of Francis Joel Carr?s Life. Joel asked that we remember him in our prayers as he remembered so many during his life. A Mass of Christian Burial at St. Peter?s Church, 11:00 Thursday. A Celebration of Life Reception to follow immediately at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Peter?s school.