HOLLIS KERR
*September 8, 1933 – October 27, 2024*
Hollis Kerr, 91, of Cantril, Iowa, passed away peacefully on October 27, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Ottumwa Iowa on September 8, 1933, to Clyde and Dorothy Kerr, Hollis grew up on the Kerr family farm south of Cantril, Iowa. He went to elementary school in a one room school house in Upton, Iowa, then graduated from Cantril High School in 1951.
In 1953, Hollis was drafted into the Army during the Korean Conflict and served honorably in Detroit, working on the radar team until 1955. Upon returning home, he pursued a business degree at the University of Iowa, where he met his future wife, Ruth. The two were married on September 4, 1960, beginning a marriage that would span over six decades. Hollis graduated from the University of Iowa in early 1961 and soon after began his career at A.C. Nielsen Company in Clinton, Iowa.
Later that year, he and Ruth welcomed their first daughter, Jill. In 1965, Hollis fulfilled a lifelong dream by moving with his family back to the family farm south of Cantril in Scotland County Missouri. This farm was not just his livelihood but the very place he felt most at peace. Hollis and Ruth also welcomed their daughters Lori in 1968 and Sheri in 1970. Over the next 30 years, he lovingly tended to over 1,000 acres of land, some of which had been in the Kerr family for over 100 years. During this time he formed deep roots in his community and was a member of the Cantril United Methodist Church and the Masons there and later the Memphis United Methodist Church. In 1996, Hollis and Ruth moved to Phoenix, AZ to be near their 3 daughters.
Hollis is survived by his beloved wife, Ruth, his three cherished daughters— Jill(Jodie), Lori(Chris), and Sheri—his four treasured grandchildren Kala, Gabbi(Shane), Joshua and Michael, three beautiful great-granddaughters and his brother Larry(Margie). His family was his pride and joy, and he found profound happiness in watching each generation grow.
Hollis’s legacy of hard work, kindness, and devotion to family will be carried forward by those who had the privilege of knowing him.
A service to honor Hollis’s life will be held gravesite for the family at the Cantril cemetery Nov 9th at 11am with a reception to follow for friends at the family farm home at 12:30pm. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer’s association.
