(Above) Dr. James F. (Jimmy) Carr Jr
Former Florida Governor Reubin Askew said “Jimmy Carr was the most admired and respected college administrator I’ve ever known.”
Carr retired in 1970 but became assistant dean at then Harding College. In 1973 he was named assistant to the president by Dr.
Clifton L. Ganus Jr., who later gave Carr the task of spearheading the creation of the nursing program, which opened its doors in 1975.
Nursing always remained close to Carr’s heart. He and his brother, the late Taylor Carr, established the Carr Scholarship for Nursing in memory of their parents, James F. and Eula Barrett Carr, for student nurses who plan to enter medical missions or work in underserved areas.
Following his retirement from Harding, Carr served as assistant to the president of White County Medical Center in Searcy. He enjoyed his work at the hospital but decided to permanently retire at age 95. Even in retirement he remained an active volunteer.
A proud ambassador for the city of Searcy, Carr was involved in numerous civic activities throughout the community. He served in leadership roles and was active in the Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club, Quapaw Council of Boy Scouts, Sunshine School, Sheltered Workshop, United Way, White County Heart Association, Arkansas Kidney Foundation, Arkansas Governor’s Committee on the Handicapped, and the White River Health Planning and Development District.
