Obituary for John Alexander Kerr

John Alexander Kerr, 81, of Kenton, Ohio unexpectedly passed away on Monday, March 24, 2025. 

John was born September 24, 1943, in Denver Colorado as the eldest child of Dee and Grace Isabel “Issie” (Thompson) Kerr.  At that time, Dee was in the U.S. Air Force and stationed at Lowery AFB in Denver, Colorado.   

John is predeceased by his father Dee (1970), mother Issie (2000), and daughter-in-law, Marcia Kerr (2020).  He is survived by his wife, Barbara Gabelman Kerr; sons John Alexander, Jr. (Linda), Michael Lindley (DottieLou), and Gary Alan (Kathy); stepdaughters Samanatha Grace Greathouse (Eric) and Jennifer Leigh Scheil (Derek). John’s pride and joy were his grandchildren: Katie Arnold (Josh), Brendan Alexander Kerr (Brittany), Michael Eric Kerr (Brianna), Derek Ryan Kerr (Alex), Molly and Daniel Wisker, Madeline and Alexander Scheil, and Matthew, Isaac, Eliza, and Theodore Greathouse. His great-grandchildren were the loves of his heart: Sydney, Gregor, and Connor Arnold; Amelia and Alivia Kerr; Liam and Myah Kerr,

John is also survived by his sister Carole Susanne Kerr, nieces Terry McDonald (Stan) and Tracy Garcia (Candido), nephew Kelby Moore (Wendy), and great nieces and nephews Jacob, Emily and Levi King, Gunnar Jenssen (Kristin), Teryn Ferrel (Francesca), and Jessa, Devyn and Brooke Moore.

As a young child growing up in a military family life was always on the move: Colorado, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Illinois, Texas.  John always knew that as an adult he wanted to serve in the military; he wanted to be a pilot. With a father in the Air Force and a family whose military service lineage traces back to the American Revolutionary War, John proudly enlisted in the Army in 1962 just after graduating from Rantoul Township High School (Rantoul, IL).

John’s military career spanned 21 years from Basic Training in 1962 at Ft. Knox to retirement from Tobyhanna Army Depot on 28 Feb 1983.  John served in Korea with the 59^th Aviation Company (Corps) as a Rotary Wing Aviator in 1965-66.  He served two tours in Viet Nam; 1966-67 with 11^th Armored Cavalry (Blackhorse) Squadron as Rotary Wing Aviator flying helicopters, and 1969-70 with Headquarters, I Field Force as an aviation officer.   Of note, while completing Primary Helicopter School at Ft. Wolters in 1965, John was in the first class to train on the Hughes TH55 helicopter.  Upon deploying to Vietnam in 1967, John flew Huey and Scout helicopters out of Chu Lai scouting troops and looking for enemy locations.  While in Vietnam, John flew a variety of other helicopters: CH-34 Choctaw, OH-58 Kiowa, OH-6 Loach, OH-13 Sioux.  After Vietnam John was posted at Ft. Carson, Colorado where he Commanded a Tank Company.  He has shared many wild stories with friends and family, which leave us pondering how he made it home in one piece.  Guess it was just his stubborn nature to push through and get it done no matter what.  

John was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with “V,” Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM), and numerous other awards throughout his career.

The Army offered John many opportunities for training in a variety of disciplines. Upon completion of Basic Training, as an enlisted Private, John was assigned to Niki Missile Silos.  Soon after John attended and graduated from Officer Candidate School. This was followed by Flight Instructor Training, the Armor Advance Course, and then the OH58 Instructor Pilot Course.  Again, he was in the first class of aviators to transition into the use of the OH58 in 1969, and the only qualified aviator in Vietnam.  John didn’t look upon this as work, but as fun.  He loved his time in a tank, just as he loved his time in the air.

While on active duty, John graduated in 1975 from Alaska Methodist University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences with a concentration in Business Administration and Economics. Skills he applied well while managing Officer Clubs in Darmstadt, Germany and Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania.  He brought fresh ideas and tons of enthusiasm as he grew each club into a profitable self-sustaining entity.

After retiring from the military John established a home in Kenton, Ohio where he forged community roots.  During this time, John began a new career driving truck as a long-haul driver with Victory Express which became U.S. Express.  His story was that he just wanted solitude, an open road, and nothing to manage or oversee.  Despite his desire to stay out of management, John eventually became a trainer and then a Safety Officer with U.S. Express. His final job in the trucking industry was that of a recruiter for U.S. Express which took him all over the country, where he eventually reconnected with Barbara who became his wife.

John loved speed and that feeling of wind on his face.  After Vietnam, while stationed in Texas, John turned to racing Corvettes.  He loved the challenge of the track and the thrill of winning.  We all know of his love for his 65 Vette.  You might call it his ‘traveling companion’ as it followed John wherever he was stationed.

Second to flying, John loved to throw his leg over his Harley and roar out for long rides in the country.  Time in the seat of his motorcycle was second best to flying.  The roar of loud pipes and a clear, open road were all he needed.  John and his wife were members of the Seaford (Delaware) and Ocean City (Maryland) H.O.G. Clubs.  Riding to rallies, to visit family, and to get a bite to eat were all good reasons to pull the bike(s) out and take a long ride in the fresh air.

Boy Scouts was a constant in John’s life.  In addition to being a Boy Scout himself, John was actively involved in the Minsi Trails Council in the Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania area, as were his three sons who all achieved Eagle Scout.  In addition to being a Troop Leader, John was heavily involved at the council level.  He simply loved Scouting, and his time spent outdoors.

John was a member of the Military Officers Association of America, 11^th Armored Cavalry’s Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia, Blackhorse Association, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, Army Aviation Association of America, Ohio American Legion, Elks Lodge #157 in Kenton, Ohio, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Motorcycle Association, and the Harley Owners’ Group.  He loved sharing his stories with other veterans, friends, and family. Can you remember how many helicopter crashes there were?  Or the one about the grenade being thrown into his helicopter?

As we take a moment to pause and reflect, we can see John standing there in his Harley Pin Up Girl T-Shirt, Vietnam Veterans ball cap with aviator wings, and that non-smile smile of his.  Crazy mustaches and all, John freely shared his thoughts and opinions on all subject matters, whether they were asked for or not.  Between military banter and just plain ornery-ness John left an impacting memory with us all.  He loved each of us in his own stubborn, but unique way. John loved life and living it on his own terms.

Burial with a military grave-site service will be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 10:30a.m.  All are welcome. The Price-McElroy Funeral Home in Kenton is assisting the family with arrangements. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boy Scouts of America or the 11th Armored Cavalry’s Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia Scholarship Fund.

Online condolences may be expressed at pricefh.net.