Retired Brig. Gen. Dan Karr, age 87, Overbrook, Kansas, passed away Oct. 8, 2021, at Ruble Ranch, Overbrook. He was born May 21, 1934 in rural Miami County, Kansas, the son of Ira Karr and Flo (Litson) Karr. Dan grew up in the Paola area, graduating from Paola High School with the class of 1952.
On August 8, 1954, Dan was united in marriage to Shirley Knowles at Emerson Park Christian Church in Kansas City, Kansas. They shared 65 years of loving marriage until Shirley’s death in 2019.
Dan was a full-time member of the Kansas National Guard from 1954 to 1990, retiring as a brigadier general of the 69th Infantry Brigade and leading the Kansas National Guard in emergency preparedness division. Dan also served his country for a full year in Vietnam when his division deployed during the Vietnam War.
Dan loved spending time with his grandchildren in his retirement. He was always looking forward to their next adventure. Dan was very active in the Overbrook Rotary Club. He was also a member of Post #239 American Legion of Overbrook, as well as many years going to meetings and participating in S.U.V. In his youth, Dan was an avid hunter, rarely missing a weekend to be out in nature.
Dan is survived by three children, Diane Lang and her husband, Tom, Michigan Valley, Kansas; Brett Karr, Overbrook; Linda Garhart, and her husband, Jeff, Kansas City, Missouri; a sister, Doris Johnson, Oak Grove, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Melissa, Jacob, Michael, Dustin, Taren, MaKenzie, Ashley, and Nicholas; and 15 great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Karr, his parents and a brother, Don Karr.
Funeral services will be Friday, Oct. 15, 10 a.m. at the United Methodist Church of Overbrook, 1005 Maple St. Interment will follow at Overbrook Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 14, at United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Guard Museum or Miami County Historical Museum or Post 239 Overbrook American Legion sent in c/o the Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home, P.O. Box 268, Overbrook, KS 66524.
Condolences may be sent to the family through www.lamb-roberts.com