KEN KERR passed away on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. He was 91 years old. Kenneth Murl Kerr (Sr), born August 26, 1932 in Marionville, Missouri and was the eleventh of twelve children born to William Arthur and Ethel Melinda Kerr (Johnson). He grew up in the area he called Turnback Creek.

Ken was a veteran of the Korean War, spending eight years in the United States Air Force. His USAF commander in Germany planted the scouting seed, inviting Ken to lead the Boy Scouts of America as Scoutmaster at his military base. His involvement stretched across the world, including a scout trip to The World’s Fair in Brussels, Belgium, ski trips in Germany, troop leadership in San Francisco, California, membership in Order of the Arrow, Tribe of Mic-O-Say Honorary Warrior, and chartering, formulating, and leading BSA Troop #4 in Odessa, Missouri. He served in the Boy Scouts of America for more than 40 years.

While employed at Western Electric in San Francisco and volunteering as a scout leader, he met his wife, Connie Collins formerly of Laurel, Montana. They were introduced by the mother of one of his Boy Scouts who worked with Connie at Western Union in downtown San Francisco, California.

The couple moved to Kansas City from Petaluma, California, in 1969 and then on to Odessa in 1973. Ken was active in the Odessa Recreation Board, organizing city-league baseball teams, and building youth baseball fields at the Odessa City Reservoir. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and Mariner’s Club, later becoming a member of the United Methodist Church.

Ken is survived by his wife Connie of the home and four children, Kelly Watson of Odessa, Mo, Kenneth Kerr, Jr. of Orlando, Florida, Karna Kerr of Odessa, Mo, and Patrick Kerr (Christina) of Grain Valley, Missouri. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren as well as his youngest brother Wendell of Springfield, Missouri.

Ken’s ashes will be interred in the Bates City Cemetery with family attendance. There will be a Celebration of Life in a future service to be announced. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Wounded Warrior Foundation or Crossroads Hospice and Palliative Care in Independence, Missouri.

Obituary submitted by the family.

Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Oak Grove, MO (816) 690-4441