Obituary of Albert "Al" Karr

Albert “Al” Karr, age 87, of Vassar, died Saturday, August 20, 2016, at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. The funeral service will be held 11:00 am, Wednesday, August 24, 2016, at The First Baptist Church in Vassar. Pastor Raymond Karr officiating with burial to follow at Riverside Cemetery. Albert’s family will be present at the Martin Funeral Home – Vassar to receive friends on Tuesday, from 2:00 pm until 8:00 pm. On Wednesday morning, Albert will be taken to church to lie in state from 10:00 am until time of service at 11:00 am. Those desiring may direct memorial contributions to the Vassar First Baptist Church or the Vassar First Methodist Church. Envelopes are available at the funeral home and church. Albert “Al” was born April 1, 1929, in Reese to Mr. & Mrs. Anthony and Theresa (Bader) Karr. He proudly served in the United States Army, as a Corporal during the Korean War until receiving his honorable discharge on May 7, 1953. He married Joyce Parks in Lapeer in 1955. Albert was a farmer until the 1970’s and purchased a building in Vassar in 1957 that would become Half Way Truck Stop, opening in 1959. He ran the family business for many years until his “retirement.” After retiring, he could be found greeting customers, running for parts and just spending time there until 2014. Al was a member of the Caro VFW Post #144 and the Caro American Legion Post # 7. In his free time, Al enjoyed spending time with family and friends at the family cottage on Higgins Lake, water skiing, boating, working on cars, and wintering at Port St. Lucie, Florida. Left to cherish his memory are wife, Joyce; two daughters: Vicki Karr and fiancé William Yates, and Terri (Karr) Hoyt; daughter-in-law, Charlene Karr, and sister-in-law, Dorothy Bonner, eight grandchildren: Courtney (Dennis) Pisha, Anthony (Autumn) Karr, Craig Karr, Alicia Shaffer, Garrett and Lauren Yates, Leah and Janelle Hoyt; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Albert “Al” was preceded in death by his parents, son Douglas, granddaughter Karley Hoyt, seven brothers: Frank, Tony, John, Edward, Mike, Joe, and Pete, five sisters: Mary, Theresa, Clara, Dorothy, and Freda.