On Thursday, March 6, 2014, James Dean Carr, Sr. slipped quietly into the arms of his Heavenly Father, with his family at his side. He is survived by his faithful wife of over 69 years, Emma Lucille Leonard Carr of Waddell Nursing Home; son J.D. Carr, Jr. and the late Ruth Ann; daughter Pat Moser (Chipper) Thornton of Summerfield, North Carolina; grandson Jay III; great-grandchildren Shannon, Shelby and Jayson Carr; granddaughter Paula (Donnie) Melton and great-granddaughters Paige and Tiffany; granddaughter-in-law Christy and great-grandson-in-law Jesse Davis.

Dean leaves behind a life full of rich experiences, loving immediate and extended families, and cherished friends and a love for God.

He was born March 24, 1924 in Grayson County to Morris and Margie Carr. He was one of ten children, and was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, most recently his sister Virginia Carr Dolinger. He is also survived by two nephews, Jimmy (Doreen) Dolinger and James Smith; nieces, Helen Nichols Pollard, Francis Carrico, Carol Dickerson, Nancy Stoneman, Janet (Bill) Nuckolls, all of the area; and Judy Fuller of Asheville; great nephew and nieces Roy Thomas and Linda Nichols, Sandra and Keith Carrico; Alan, Billy, and Caroline Dickerson, Stephen Stoneman and Chris Fuller. He is also survived by Mildred Cockerham of Salem, widow of nephew Willard Cockerham, their children Yvonne and Jackie, and the late Dilliard Cockerham's children Linda, Steve and Michelle all of Salem; first cousin Junior (Wanda) Higgins of the area.

Dean entered the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves on April 7, 1943 and went for training to Manhattan Beach. He served in the Coast Guard only a few short days before he was Honorably Discharged due to a medical condition.

Dean married Lucille, the love of his life on June 3, 1944 and they would have celebrated 70 years of marriage this summer. They resided for over 65 years on Skyline Highway in the Fairview Community and due to declining health, they chose to become residents of Waddell Nursing Home in May 2011 and have resided there in their little apartment.

When Dean married Lucille he inherited a large extended family of brothers and sisters- in-law who treated him like their own brother. This loving extended family has provided Dean and Lucille caring and support throughout their time at Waddell, and the children and grandchildren are eternally grateful to them as follows: Lillian and Harold McMillan, Gaye and Harry Hale, Betty Jennings, Ray Leonard, Janie Leonard and Carolyn and Roy Cox. Extended family nieces and nephews include Barbara Conner, Carol (Carl) Royal, Jerry (Becky) and Rodney (Ramona) Hale, Jimmy, Dennis, Crystal and Sherry Jennings, Lisa and Lora Leonard, Gina and Donald Leonard, Michael and Charlotte Leonard, and Doug and Regina (Ray) Collins.

He began his career driving a truck for the Galax Mercantile until he went to work in the furniture industry as a cabinet room foreman for Vaughan-Bassett Furniture and retired at age 75 from Webb Furniture. At night he frequently drove an oil truck to Greensboro to pick up a load for Higgins Oil Company, after working a full day at the factory. He loved making things with wood and he converted a barn to a wood-working shop where he spent countless hours making various furniture items that he gave away. He loved working with his hands whether in his yard or gardens. He was an avid baseball fan and played many years with the Galax Leafs. He bowled on several league teams and has a nice collection of baseball and bowling trophies. On a lazy afternoon he could be found on a creek or river bank with a fishing pole in his hands .He also loved to hunt grouse and pheasants and he taught his bird dogs to fetch the birds. He often said there is a special relationship between a man and his dog, and his unending patience proved that statement.

Dean and Lucille enjoyed square dancing and traveled around the community at various dance gatherings. Dean was known for 'calling the dances' and they were also known for their smooth two-step dance. They worked long, hard hours to create a pretty home, large yard with beautiful flowers, and vegetables gardens they loved sharing with family and friends. They were constantly giving something from their gardens.

He was a life-time member of Mt. Vale United Methodist Church. He had a beautiful voice and sang in the choir for many years, as well as being a member of the church quartet that traveled to area churches sharing the glory of God in song, and he knew the words to most hymns from memory. He taught Sunday School for many years, and served on various boards and committees of the church.

His lifetime passion was establishing the Fairview Ruritan Club, and 25 other clubs throughout the surrounding communities and as far away as South Boston. He was instrumental in building the existing Fairview Ruritan Club structure and he loved to maintain the building as well as keeping the grounds in shape. He was a Charter Member since 1953 and served several terms as President of the club. He was District Governor of the New River District Ruritan Club in 1970 and 1971. In addition, he was National Director from 1979 to 1981. On November 5, 2011, he was honored by the New River District Ruritans by dedicating the convention to his honor and to show their admiration to him for his 57 years of fellowship, goodwill and community service to the people of the New River District. The mission of the Ruritan Club is improving communities and building a better America through fellowship, goodwill and community service. He was proud to work on various fundraisers sponsored by the club to raise funds to provide assistance to those in need in the community.

The family wishes to extend their deepest and most sincere thanks to the following organizations and teams who have provided unending care: the entire staff of Waddell Nursing Home including every RN,CAN, PT, administrative, clerical, cafeteria and maintenance worker for making his home away from home as pleasant as possible, and for their continued special care to Lucille, the entire staff of Twin County Regional Hospital, including the ER and ICU units as well as the regular floor staff of doctors and nurses, the Comfort Care team, and the Care Coordinating unit for your knowledge, expertise and understanding for what was important to the family ,and the Grayson County EMT and Guardian rescue units. We also want to thank the following Doctors who have provided professional and caring medical treatment over the past years: Doctors Len Lastinger, Kenneth Clark, Kareem Zaki,, Behzad Taghizadeh, Ann Grayson and the many hospitalist at TCRH.

One of Dean's Doctors once told him he had an old floppy worn-out heart, and that heart kept loving right up to the last beat. He was a gentle, tender hearted, soft spoken spiritual man who loved the Lord, his church, his family and the Fairview Ruritan Club and it seems fitting we gather there to celebrate his life's work and receive friends at an informal gathering on Friday, March 7th from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM at the Fairview Ruritan Club Building. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at 11:00 AM in the Mt. Vale United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jeff Callahan and the Rev. Ted Bartlett officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Vale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family request that memorial contributions be made to the Fairview Ruritan Club, P.O. Box 486, Galax, Virginia 24333 for the club to continue their assistance for those in need in the community.