Gerald L. "Jerry" Karr (October 15, 1936 – December 8, 2019) was an American farmer and politician from Kansas.

Jerry Karr
Member of the Kansas Senate
from the 17th district
In office
January 12, 1981 – January 10, 1999
Preceded byJohn Crofoot
Succeeded byHarry Stephens
Personal details
Born(1936-10-15)October 15, 1936
Emporia, Kansas, U.S.
DiedDecember 8, 2019(2019-12-08) (aged 83)
Emporia, Kansas, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Sharon Kay
(m. 1959; died 2018)
Children2
EducationKansas State University
Southern Illinois University
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service1959-1965
UnitUnited States Army Reserves

Background

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Karr was born in Emporia, Kansas, on October 15, 1936, and graduated from Americus High School. Karr went to the College of Emporia. He received his bachelor's degree in agricultural economics in 1959, from Kansas State University, and his master's degree in agricultural economics from Southern Illinois University in 1962. Karr served in the United States Army Reserves from 1959 to 1965. He taught economics at University of Central Missouri, Njala University in Sierra Leone, and Wilmington College in Wilmington, Ohio. In 1976, Karr, his wife, and family returned to Kansas and settled on a farm near Emporia, Kansas.[1]

Political career

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Karr sat in the Kansas Senate from 1981 to 1999, as a legislator of the 17th district, serving as the minority leader from 1991 to 1996.[2] He resigned on January 10, 1999, and was replaced by Democrat Harry Stephens.[3][4]

In 2010, Karr attempted to re-enter politics. Following the resignation of Jim Barnett from the 17th district in October 2010, Jeff Longbine was appointed to the seat.[5][6] Karr contested the November 2010 special election, but lost to Longbine.[7]

Karr died on December 8, 2019, aged 83.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Gerald L. "Jerry" Karr Obituary
  2. ^ "Kansas Legislators, Past and Present: Karr, Gerald". kslib.info. State Library of Kansas. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Samples, Chuck; Trahoon, Tagan (December 9, 2019). "Former State Senator Jerry Karr passes away". Archived from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  4. ^ "Kansas Legislators, Past and Present: Stephens, Harry". kslib.info. State Library of Kansas. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  5. ^ "New member of Kan. Senate to be sworn in". The Morning Sun. October 21, 2010. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  6. ^ "Ks. Senate to add new member". The Topeka-Capital Journal. October 21, 2010. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  7. ^ "Longbine, Karr seek Senate seat". Topeka Capital-Journal. September 18, 2010. Retrieved December 10, 2019.