James Howard Carr

James Howard Carr went to be with his Lord on August 6. He was born in Houston on December 31, 1935 to Lillian Stivers Carr and James Howard Carr, Sr.. 

He graduated from Lamar High School because his father taught there across town from their home. After one semester at Texas A&M he left school to work as a ticket agent for Eastern Airlines at the Houston Airport when it was a simple, ground floor only, wooden building. He met Rosemarie de Launay at the airport when she was transferred from Miami to the Braniff International Airways ticket counter.

They married in 1956 at the Houston Coliseum after she was one of four winners of all expenses paid weddings held during the International Flower Show. After their first two sons were, born Howard attended the University of Texas Dental School in Houston, receiving his DDS degree in 1964 and graduating with honors in the top ten of his class. They moved to Austin where he established his first practice. While there he was asked to establish the first

Dental Poverty Program through the Office of Economic Opportunity, originating all the necessary forms and paperwork, which would be required. 

In 1967 they moved to Uvalde to purchase the dental practice of Dr. Clarence Hess, Jr. from his widow. Carr served on the City Council and was a member of the Community Council.

A member of the Episcopal Church since his marriage he was active in St. Philip’s Church as member of the choir, serving on the Vestry and as Senior Warden. After giving his life to the Lord he became actively engaged in the Episcopal lay evangelism program, called Faith Alive, first as participant and then as coordinator for weekends held around the state. With his wife, Carr attended the three-year Episcopal Diocese of West Texas Bishop’s School for Ministry, taking the same courses their priests take in order to be ordained, with the exception of Greek and Latin, and both were certified by the Bishop to lead Morning Prayer in the absence of the priest and to teach confirmation classes. Having become a believer later in life, he spent years reading the Bible and studying God’s Word.

As a result of his Born Again experience, Howard designed a ministry to other dentists and over several years presented his seminar, “Keys to a Joyful Practice,” in over 50 cities throughout the country. In the late 1970s, learning that there was no Christian dental group in the state, with help from several dentists he founded the Fellowship of Christian Dentists. The FCD later joined with the Christian Medical Association, becoming the Christian Medical and Dental Association.

In 1986 he became a member of the Fellowship of the Academy of General Dentists after meeting their requirements of 500 hours of continuing education and a comprehensive examination. Only about six per cent of general dentists become members. As a result of his recognized professional contributions to the dental profession, he was invited to become a member of the American College of Dentists (ACD) in October 1990. The ACD’s purpose is “to advance excellence, ethics, professionalism and leadership in dentistry.”

 Generous with his time, he supported the St. Philip’s sponsored Boy Scouts as troop leader, taking them to a National Jamboree at Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and then to the International Jamboree in Norway. When chaperones were unavailable two years in a row for the church Youth Group’s ski trip, he volunteered, knowing nothing about skiing.

He fulfilled his wife’s desire to travel and they made many trips together.

He authored a number of articles published in professional dental magazines and was invited to speak at other state dental societies, meetings, and conventions, and churches.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents, son Robert Kent Carr, brothers Robert Edward Carr and William Kent Carr and nephew Kirk Carr.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, three sons, all graduates of Uvalde High School: Paul Howard Carr and wife Amy (Pond) of Temple, Michael Andrew Carr and wife Deirdre (Metzger) of Magnolia, and Jean-Jacques (Jay) Carr, M. D. and wife Lana (Baxter), M. D. of Robstown, eight grandchildren, Arlina Marie Carr, Sarah Elizabeth Carr McConnell and husband Christian, Anna Katherine Carr, Jonathan Paul Jules Carr and wife Devin (Denkhoff), Peyton Alexandra Carr, Jacquelyn Carr, Jenna Grace Carr, Jacob Scott Carr and nephew Chris Carr.

The Carr family wishes to give thanks for the many years of help provided by Roman Partida and Ronda Unruh and more recently for Uvalde Hospice.

A memorial service and interment will be held at 10 A.M. on August 24 at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church.

 In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to St. Philip’s Episcopal Church or to El Progreso Memorial Library.