Jessie LeRoy Carr

Jessie LeRoy Carr, known as J.L., passed away peacefully at the age of 80 on January 14, 2025. He was born in Phoenix, Arizona, on November 18, 1944, to Deree Clem Cook and James Calvin Carr.

Jessie graduated from Springdale High School in 1965; he was drafted into the Army the following year, serving in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967. He served in the Arkansas National Guard for 20 years deploying to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Storm in 1992. During his years of service, Jessie was awarded the Army Bronze Star and Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Rifle M16 Marksman Award. Following his military career, Jessie was a Wastewater Management Operator for Cintas in Springdale, AR.

Jessie was a member of First United Methodist Church in Springdale and attended Heritage Global Methodist Church in Van Buren. He loved square dancing, shooting pool, and was a Razorback Basketball fan. Jessie was an active man playing senior citizen basketball, running 5 miles daily, and riding motorcycles.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Deree Clem Cook and James Calvin Carr, and his brother, Bill Cook.

Jessie is survived by his wife of 19 years, Rose Farris Carr; her children Alex Farris and his fiancee Gloria Arrendondo and Amy Swofford (Robert); three grandchildren, Justin and Tyler Farris and Nicklaus Swofford; his step-father Onial Cook; two sisters, Catherine Carlock (Joe) and Onna Newell (Curtis); and several nieces and nephews.

His body will be available for viewing Monday, January 20, 2025, at Lewis Funeral Chapel. His funeral service with military honors will be Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at the Fort Smith National Cemetery and will be officiated by Pastor Wes Hilliard. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Springdale Public Schools Education Foundation, Class of 1965 Scholarship Fund, Attn: Chris Stecklein, 409 N. Thompson, Springdale, AR, 72764.

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