Charles Edgar Harr
Charles “Charlie” Edgar Harr of Columbia died Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010, at Boone Hospital Center. He was 84.
Mr. Harr was born July 17, 1926, in Washington, D.C., to Oliver Edgar and Katherine Louise Walz Harr. He married Kathryn Louise Harvey in 1950 in Wichita, Kan., and she died earlier. On June 7, 1975, he married Caroline Montgomery in Columbia.
Mr. Harr was drafted to serve in World War II during his senior year of high school with the U.S. Navy and the Seabees, or U.S. Navy construction battalions, from 1944 until 1946. When he returned home, Mr. Harr earned a bachelor's degree from Wichita State University in 1950. He was called to serve with the U.S. Army in Korea from 1950 until 1952, attaining the rank of second lieutenant and earning a Purple Heart.
Mr. Harr worked as a service engineer for IBM for 36 years until he retired in 1988. He was a charter member of Community United Methodist Church and was recently recognized as a 50 Year Mason. Mr. Harr was also a member of the Sunrise Optimist Club and the Dudes and Dames Square Dancing Club. He enjoyed spending time at the Oakland Senior Center.
Survivors include Mr. Harr's wife, Caroline, of Columbia; a daughter, Dr. Virginia Louise Harr and husband John of Chickasha, Okla.; a son, Dave Oliver Harr and wife, Cheryl, of Columbia; a daughter-in-law, Joan Harr of Prairie Village, Kan.; a sister, Shirley Louise Brinkman of Wichita, Kan.; two grandchildren, Lt. Bradley Harr of Independence and Melanie Harr-Hughes and husband, Jimmy, of Moore, Okla.; a great-grandchild, Riley Hughes; three stepsons, Bill Montgomery and wife Sandy, George Montgomery and wife Lynn, and Clifford Montgomery and wife Pam; six step-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren.
A son, Dr. Thomas Alan Harr, and a half brother, Francis Oliver Harr, died earlier.
Visitation will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday followed by memorial services at 2 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Burial with military honors will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Oakland Senior Center, 805 Old Hwy. 63 N., Columbia, MO, 65202, or a charity of the donor's choice.
