James Thomas “Jimmy” Carr passed away peacefully with his family by his side on January 10, 2014 at Holy Rosary Extended Care. Jimmy was born on March 4, 1930 in Deer Lodge, MT and was the youngest of four children born to George and Gretchen Carr. His father George worked as a storekeeper for the Milwaukee railroad and they lived in Milwaukee, Minneapolis, and eventually settled in Miles City.
Music was an important part of the Carr family and Jimmy started singing at a young age when his parents, aunts, uncles and extended family gathered around the piano. In Miles City he sang with the Sacred Heart Church choir and the Miles Community Choir. Whether a church hymn or a lively honky-tonk song, he loved to sit down at the piano and entertain everyone.
Even though Jimmy spent a majority of his life in Miles City, he also lived with his sister Mary Pusich in Douglas, Alaska. He treasured his Alaska family and spoke frequently about all the good times he had with her and his nieces and nephews. One of his favorite past-times was playing softball with his nephews Pat and Mike, running out every hit as hard and as fast as he could.
While in Alaska he worked at the family-owned bar and restaurant, “Mike’s Place” where he did everything from making salads to entertaining guests with his wonderful piano skills. At St. Peter’s Catholic Church, he was a frequent reader, pianist, and server. He was also an active member of the Lions Club of Douglas, Alaska.
Jimmy was very social and he loved to be surrounded by people. He would often ride his bike or walk around Miles City and you could always count on him for a friendly wave and a warm smile as he would pass you on the street.
He was also a great supporter of all athletic programs in Miles City. He rarely missed a ball game and after each game, he was known to congratulate as many players as he could, regardless if they won or not. One of his greatest joys was being a member of the 600 Bar men’s softball team. He was so proud of being a part of that team where he was accepted as “one of the boys” and rarely missed a practice or a home game.
Jimmy was very involved in Special Olympics in Alaska and Montana, particularly in cross-country skiing and field events. He was proud of his many medals and treasured the collection of autographed pictures he had of gold medal Olympic skiers. These provided lasting memories and always brought a smile to his face.
He worked for many years at Eastern Montana Industries and did volunteer work at multiple places in Miles City. In 1991, he received a formal commendation from President Bush in recognition for his 8,700 volunteer service hours at the Miles City Veterans Administration hospital.
Jimmy’s family is sincerely grateful for the kindness that Miles City and the surrounding areas extended to him throughout his life. Whether you welcomed him into your home, said “hello” to him on the street or shook his hand at a sporting event, you helped foster a sense of community for him in Eastern Montana which greatly enriched his life.
Jimmy is survived by his sister Mary Pusich and her children, Richard Pusich, Butch Pusich, Anna Margaret Rear, Mary Kay Pusich, Sharon Gill, Mike Pusich, Pat Pusich, and Lisa Pusich. Also surviving are his nieces and nephews, Mary Margaret Friend, Cathy Tooke, Michael Carr, Jim Carr, Jackie Carr, Sherry Kirk, and Joe Carr as well as numerous great-nieces and great-nephews who were an active part of Jimmy’s life.
He was preceded in death by parents, George and Gretchen Carr, brother George Carr and his wife Eleanor Carr of Bellevue, WA, brother John R. Carr and his wife Margaret Carr of Miles City, his brother-in-law Rudy Pusich of Douglas, AK, his niece Patty Jo (Carr) Minch of Laurel, MT, nephew Richard Carr of Bellevue, WA and great-nephew John David Friend of Miles City.
A vigil service will be held Thursday, January 16, 2014 at 6:00 PM at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, January 17, 2014 at 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart Church with burial following at Calvary Cemetery. A remembrance mass will also be held on January 17, 2014 in Juneau, Alaska at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Sacred Heart Parish School, 519 North Center Ave., Miles City, MT 59301.
Service Schedule
Vigil Service
6:00 p.m.
Thursday January 16, 2014
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m.
Friday January 17, 2014
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Miles City, MT 59301
Service Schedule
Vigil Service
6:00 p.m.
Thursday January 16, 2014
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m.
Friday January 17, 2014
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Miles City, MT 59301
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Diane Welbes says
My thoughts and prayers are with the family–He is with Our Lord now and what a great place to be.
Elaine Forman says
What an incredible guy! He will be missed.
Ed and Becky Gergen says
In the past, Jimmy used to come to the VA Nursing Home and play the piano for the veterans. Since my office was across the hallway from the activity/dining room, I also enjoyed listening to his music. He was a nice man.
Jim & Marj Anderson says
I remember Jimmy best from when he worked at Ben Franklin. I would go over there every day for break and he was there doing his job. What a jolly man! Always had a smile and a hello for anyone he encountered. If my daughters were with he never missed a chance to come by and day hi to them. It has only been since I started working with Cathy and Amy did I realized what a close knit family the Carr’s are. It is no wonder Jimmy was such an amazing man. He will be missed by anyone who ever knew him. God Bless all of you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dawn Kellmer says
I am saddened to hear of the passing of Jimmy. He was a good person. Every time I seen him he always had a smile on his face. He will be greatly missed. But, he is in God’s hands now. God bless the Carr family and my thoughts and prayers are with you.
kim and kevin cooper says
Im goin to miss him he was a great man im goin to miss his smile and when i would talk to him he would get a sparkle in his eye and him kissing my hand and holdig it when we talked.
Pam (Moths) Nisley says
I remember Jimmy always enjoying the many sporting events when I was younger and lived in Miles City~ in recent years his sweet spirit always shone brightly when I would see him at the extended care:) Prayers for all of you, for God’s comfort now and in the months to come.
Niki Munroe says
I am sure going to miss seeing Jimmy at Extended Care. He always had such a bright smile! Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Karen Krausz says
Jimmy was one of the kindest and happiest soul that it has been my pleasure to know. He will be missed by all who knew him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Patti (Terhaar) Jesso says
I have many fond memories of Jimmy singing with dad is the church choir. He always had a smile on his face and a song in his heart. May he rest in peace and may your memories carry you through until you will all be reunited.
J Johnson says
My sincere condolences to the family of James Thomas Carr – May you find comfort in your loving memories, great pictures and in recalling the many talents of Mr. Carr. It was not God’s purpose that mankind suffer and die and God has promised that a time will come when no one will say “I am sick” (Isaiah 33:24). The Bible promises a resurrection of dear family members and friends that we have lost (John 5:28, 29). The Paradise that was originally promised for the earth in the Garden of Eden will be fulfilled and cause God’s “will to be done as in Heaven also upon Earth” (Matthew 6:9, 10). I hope you are comforted by Bible promises of a hopeful future (John 17:3).
Karen Hardy says
James was such a wonderful man. It was always nice to hear him sing and put smiles on peoples faces. I will dearly miss James. Prayers out to the family.
Earl & Jean Kiddie says
We were so sorry to learn of Jimmy’s passing. He was always such a sweet, kind person. Earl remembers all his volunteer hours at the VA. Please accept our deepest sympathy, and know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Denise and Jim Carroll says
We did not know Jimmy personally but have been friends with the Pusich family for years and are sorry to hear of Mary’s brother passing. It appears that he led a long and productive life and are sure he will be missed by those who knew him. We will remember them in our prayers.
Katie & Glenn Hageman says
We were so sorry to hear of Jimmy’s passing. Our sympathy to the entire Carr Family. You are all to be commended for the close knit family that you are and the support you give to each other. I often admired how Grandpa Jack always looked out for his Brother. We remember Jimmy as being Dan Conner’s right hand man while coaching the most successful Sacred Heart Shamrocks. May peace be with all in the days ahead.
Sharon Pusich Gill says
How do you sum up in just a few words Uncle Jimmy? Those 4 Carr kids are all so alike!
Uncle Jimmy….. kind heart, sweet disposition, loyal, passionate about family, loved music, devoted to both church and family and oh what a sweet tooth! Uncle Jimmy was the cookie monster on earth! Loved his sweets, baseball and music! So many memories of him watching as well as playing baseball, entertaining us with his gift of playing the piano and falling asleep in the chair or hoziontal on the couch with a cookie in his hand an crumbs on his chest! Priceless! Hard to find a kinder soul that walked the earth, other than his siblings of course! The angels must be doing a little more dancing up there with Uncle Jimmy tickling the ivories up there like he use to do! We were blessed to have him in our lives for a while in Alaska. He made all that knew him better people! God Bless all of Uncle Jack’s family that took such VERY good care of him all these years. You all are angels on earth as well!
Rest in peace Uncle Jimmy!
Diane Connors Rewerts says
Dear Carr Family,
Thinking of all of you with fondness and remember the many wonderful times our families spent together. Jimmy was such a happy soul.
Diane
Diane Connors Rewerts says
Dear Carr Family,
Thinking of all of you with fondness and remembrance of the many wonderful times our families spent together. Jimmy was such a happy soul.
Diane
Michael Regan says
Jimmy was an extraordinay man! He was always so kind and loving (and talkative) with us cousins of the Bob and Mary Regan family. My condolences to your entire family. One of my earliest memories is “uncle Jimmy” playing the piano when we visited the Carr family when they still lived in Minneapolis…enjoyed him them and the many times we met later on. Loved his enthusiasm when he was “coaching” us at Sacred Heart. My brother John wanted to learn how to play boogie boogie style on the piano and Jimmy taught him how to do that. Loved that man.
Michael
Kim Stanton says
Dear Family,
Please accept my condolences of the loss of your dear Jimmy. I remember visiting with Jim Carr in November and he was looking forward to a visit with Jimmy that week. Jimmy was such an important part of your family and he will be missed greatly. May the Holy Spirit, the Divine Comforter, bring you all peace, sustenance, and comfort in the coming days as you celebrate his life and yet mourn his loss. Sending prayers, sympathy, and love your way,
Kim Stanton
Deb (Moths) Schmeling says
Dear Carr Family,
You are all in my thoughts and prayers. May God wrap his arms around each one of you. Jimmy was a very loving person. I remember him when he would come to the ball games at Denton Park. He loved to watch baseball. Cherish all the good times.
Deb Schmeling
Betty Super says
To the dear Carr Family,
After reading “Uncle Jimmie’s” obituary, I had a profound feeling he had a wonderful life. He shared his talents; a singing voice, piano music and friendly smile and many people were touched by them.
May you all be consoled knowing he was surrounded by family love.
God bless you all.
With sympathy,
Betty Super
Mary Kay Pusich says
We are thinking of our Montana family today as you lay Uncle Jim to rest. He was such a kind, friendly and happy man that just enjoyed people and loved his family. The twinkle in his eyes warmed your hearts instantly and he was quick to shake your hand. Our memories of visits to Montana and his time in Alaska with us will be treasured forever. Blessings to all the Carr family for keeping Jimmy happy and well all these years. You are in our prayers and hearts, always.
Shumon Pius says
When I think of my HOME of Miles City, Jimmy Carr is always one of the first people to come to mind. He was always kind and polite and the Sacred Heart Shamrocks always had his backing. He was a great man. I am very sorry to hear of Jimmy’s passing. Blessings to all his family and may he rest in peace.
anna marg rear says
He was a great guy, have some wonderful memories of the time that he was in Alaska with our family, He had a great voice and loved to play the piano.We were very blessed to have had him in our lives.He always had a smile and loved to wave to people. thanks to jacks family for taking wonderful care of him since jack passed.Blessing to all of you. he will be forever in our hearts.
Lana and Bill Sweeney says
Was so very sad to hear of the passing of this wonderful human being. His love of life, upbeat personality, tremendous musical talent, and unmatched enthusiasm for all sports made him such a pleasure to be around. We spent countless hours on the basketball courts at the Sacred Heart gym and around the neighborhood courts, memories that I have cherished for years. He was a big part of my life growing up, and made everyone around him a little better. Our paths had not crossed for a number of years now, but when I visited with him five years ago he was the same awesome Jimmy who still had a great zest for life. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire extended Carr clan, and for the people of Miles City who lost a good and loving man.
Michael Pusich says
My Uncle Jim was something special indeed. Despite his personal challenges, there was no stopping this wonderful man from living life fully. He was such an amazing musician with a voice that would fill the room. He loved his sports for the love of the game and no more – there were no losers, only winners and smiles all around. It was no surprise to me when he was the guy Good Morning America choose to interview to show what a wonderful event the special olympics is for so many athletes. Jim loved his family and they loved him back. He gave back way more than he ever took. He truly was the kindest, selfless, and most genuine person you could ever meet. I wish i was more like Uncle Jim. We will all miss you Jimmy. Please give your brothers a big hug for me. Love you, Michael Pusich and family.
Jo Ann (Buck) Kemmis says
To the Carr Family.
Please accept my condolences on the passing of dear Jimmy. When my dad was in the Extended Care Hospice room last April, I had the opportunity to see Jimmy and shake his hand. Such fond memories of a great person.
Thinking of you and so pleased all of you were with him in his final moments.
With loving thoughts and sympathy.
Liz (Norsby) Filler says
My condolences to Mr Carr’s family. He was a very sweet man. I will always remember the first time I met him. I was about 5 and my mom was taking me around town on Halloween to Trick-or-Treat. Jimmy answered his door dressed as a genie! He had the most beautiful costume with a shimmery turban. I was in absolute awe.
May all those who miss him and are grieving find peace in their memories.
Kevin, Lori & Louise Donnelly says
Kevin, Lori & Louise Donnelly,
We are sorry to here of your lose. Our prayers are with all of you. I am thankful of the time we had with Jim. May God touch all of you in your time sorrow.
Kevin, Lori & Louise Donnelly