Donald Lynn Carr (10/24/1943 - 01/27/2013)
Donald Lynn Carr
Donald Lynn Carr passed away at his home on Sunday, January 27th after a long valiant battle with cancer. He left this world to be with Jesus the same way he lived his life; quietly, with grace and dignity. Don's wife Barbara, his mother, daughter, sister and brother-in-law were with him as he "slipped the surely bonds of earth and put out his hand and touched the face of God"*.
Don was born October 24, 1943 in Santa Monica, Ca. to Paul and Mary Lou Carr. He attended local schools and graduated from William Howard Taft High School, Woodland Hills in 1962. Don loved the beach and the sea and spent every chance he had sailing.
After graduation Don joined the Navy and continued his love for the sea as well as flying. During his years in the Navy he became proficient in survival skills including escape and evasion, living off the land and parachuting. He became a Survival Specialist Instructor teaching 1 to 2 week courses to Navy Fighter Pilots and personnel. Always a quiet man, not one to talk about his experiences little is known about this time in his life other than his insistence that most bugs, worms and other slimy things "Tastes Like Chicken".
After his discharge from the Navy Don settled in the San Fernando Valley and went to work for Litton Industries. It was during this time that he married Judy Fiss and his daughter Lisa was born. Although the marriage ended, the birth of his daughter was one of his life's greatest joys.
By 1975 Don's desire to travel and to sail got him thinking about taking a year or two off to explore French Polynesia. Don sold everything he owned, brushed up on his navigation skills, put a few things in a backpack and headed off to live the ultimate dream. His first stop was America Samoa where he signed on as a crewmember for a private yacht headed to Bora Bora. Don's plan to travel for 1 to 2 years turned into 8 years. He worked as crew for yachts traveling from island to island and did a 3 year stint on Bora Bora working for Club Med teaching wind surfing, diving and other water sports. He crewed several times on the Klaraborg, a two masted schooner built in 1850, one of the last that was still sailing. In July of 1982 he left the Klaraborg at Perth, Australia to backpack through Australia. The Klaraborg was headed to dry dock for needed repairs. Within days Don learned that the Klaraborg had foundered and sank on the next leg of her trip. The crew was safe but only the ships bell and wheel were saved.
One of his fondest experiences happened when he was in New Zealand and his parents joined him for an extended vacation. Don always preferred to get off the beaten path and hang with the natives. He had a great time sharing that adventurous spirit with his parents. By 1983 Don was ready to return home to the States. Before he did he spent several months in Europe traveling the back roads of England, France, Italy and Greece. He often stayed with people he had met on his travels in French Polynesia.
When he returned to the USA Don settled in Santa Maria where his parents had retired. Don went to work for the U S Postal Service working out of the main office on Battles Road. For over 20 years Don worked the rural route of Sisquoc, Gary, Foxen Canyon and Tepusquet, traveling the 100 miles route daily. He loved the daily drive, the serenity, the challenges weather created and getting to know his customers. Don was also a member of Civil Air Patrol Squadron 30 Search and Rescue based at the Santa Maria Airport for a number of years. He enjoyed participating in the flights, using his navigation skills and the friendships formed with the other crew members.
In 2005 Don was preparing for the next part of his life, retirement. He dreamed of traveling again but this time exploring the USA including Hawaii and Alaska. On a whim he posted his profile on Match. At the same time friends of a newly single Barbara posted her profile on Match. And the rest as they say is history. As Don and Barbara got to know more about each other they discovered that over their adult lives they often lived within blocks of each other, frequented the same places and that they currently worked next door to each other without having met. Their friendship deepened into love and they were inseparable. They loved drives up the coast with the top down in Don's 1996 Cobra Mustang. Cambria was a favorite destination. They shared a love of music, often going to concerts in Santa Barbara, Pozo and Paso Robles. The most memorable concert was seeing Journey, whose song "Open Arms" became "their song". NASCAR, Golf, NFL were also shared favorites. They loved being together and made a simple trip to Costco an outing.
A little over 3 years ago Don was diagnosed with cancer and he and Barbara began a different journey together. During this part of their journey they worked with the most incredible Doctors, Nurses and staff. Dr. April Kennedy and her staff and Dr. Case Ketting and his staff were always informative, upbeat, and caring. They fought this battle with us with determination, love and honesty. Don and Barbara leaned heavily on the knowledge and experience of Sean, Jenni and Patty from Marian Cancer Care. Aundie with the Head & Neck Cancer Support Group and the members of our Support Group provided a forum to share and learn. Marian Hospice gave Don and Barbara the opportunity to make the most of the time they had left together. Vickie, Amy, Barbie, Maria, Olimpia and Colleen of Hospice treated Don with love and dignity. In the short time that Shantelle from Home Helpers worked with us she became like a member of our family. Words like thank you are not sufficient to express what is in our hearts. You gave us comfort, support and so much more. All of you who helped Don through this journey will forever be in our hearts and prayers.
Even though Don knew his time was limited he chose to carry on with as many items of his "Bucket List" as possible. For as long as he was able Don and Barbara went to concerts at the Paso Fair, took road trips and spent time with family. Don loved being around family so it really shouldn't have been a surprise when Don decided to add to our family two Toy Poodles: sisters Rosie and Ruby. These two bundles of red fur joined our family in September 2012 at 8 weeks old and added so much enjoyment to Don's last months.
With a belief that their love would overcome any obstacle Don proposed to Barbara. Don and Barbara were married on November 2, 2012 at the Santa Barbara Court House. They chose the Clock Tower for the site of their marriage. Surrounded by their family and with the views of the Santa Barbara Harbor in the background they formalized their commitment and love.
In the last weeks of his life Don accepted Jesus into his heart and the promise of eternity.
Don is survived by his wife Barbara, his mother Mary Lou Carr, his daughter Lisa Harter (Bob) and grandchildren Kendall and Brady Harter, his sister Marsha Rowe (Dennis); nephew Kevin Rowe (Tawnya) and their children Asher and Noah; niece Christy Moller (Bryan) and their children Charlize, Madison and Raegan Moller. In addition he leaves Barbara's children Ron (Sandy) Menane, Chas Menane and Jeri Diane Sharpe and their children. Don is also survived by Joan Knight, Bonnie Rowe and John and Terry Poplawski and many other family members joined through marriage and lifetime friendships.
To say that Don will be missed by his family doesn't describe the depth of the emptiness that his passing leaves. Knowing we will be reunited in eternity gives us hope and comfort.
Don touched many hearts and lives during his lifetime. It was his choice to be cremated and to not have a formal service. In keeping with his wishes but wanting to have an opportunity to honor his life we will be having a Celebration of Life on Sunday, March 10th. We will post the time and venue prior to that date.
"These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life."
1 John 5:13
*From High Flight by John Gillespie Magee, Jr.
Published in Santa Maria Times on February 17, 2013
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