Percy "Cantaloupe" Thomason Carr

Percy Thomason “Cantaloupe”, “Cana’”, “Yates” Carr passed into the Lord’s embrace on Sunday, May 19, 2013 in his 80th season of life. He lived a rich and full life that has left indelible impressions in the memory of the many lives he touched. His journey of life began on March 24, 1933 in Dallas County when he was born to the union of Nick Carr, Sr., and Glennie Jones Carr. He was raised in a hard working family that helped him develop a strong work ethic. Percy’s father Mr. Nick coined the nick-name “Cantaloupe” or “Can” because as a child he always ate up the cantaloupe from everyone. Percy grew up to be a smart young man with southern charm. Percy was a member of Mt. Olive A.M.E. Church. He also served as treasurer for the Piney Grove Cemetery Board and president of the Sportmans Club of Dalark. His southern charm won the heart of Annie Lou Wilson and after a brief courtship they were married on May 17, 1958. They settled in Dalark, Arkansas and opened the Carr Grocery and Café. After Annie Lou retired they decided to close the store which had been a staple in the community. He had been employed with Acme Brick Company in Malvern, Arkansas for 39 years upon retirement. “Cantaloupe” never met a stranger and always welcomed family and friends to his home and establishment. He loved to entertain and “put on a good show”. He was known through the community and was always ready to help anyone in need. Throughout his life he was a devoted and committed husband, father, loving grandfather, great-grandfather, faithful & trusted friend. He was a small man in stature but had a big heart. Percy was well respected and was always the life of the party. He was one of the coolest, outgoing, tenacious, patient, straight forward and down to earth men that lived. Outspoken, Percy “meant what he said and said what he meant”. There was never a dull moment when he was around. He will most be remembered by his charisma, smile, generosity and infectious laugh. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Larry Quarles who made his transition on December 15, 2003 and Reggie Carr (April 2012) an adopted son whom he and Annie Lou raised as a son; four sisters, Mildred Jackson, Ophelia McDaniel, Bessie Carr-Keith and Mary E. Carr-Giles; and two brothers, Verdie Carr, Sr., and Charles Carr. To know “Cana’” was to love him. He will be greatly missed by his wife of 55 years, Annie Lou Carr of Dalark; one grandson, Dondrae Burroughs of Wayne, MI; one brother, Nick Carr, Jr., (Delores) of Arkadelphia; two god-children, Diann Epps of Camden, AR and Samuel Ankton of Ypsilanti, MI; two sisters-in-law, Mary Jones and Verlean Wilson both of Milwaukee, WI; one brother-in-law, Willie (Dorothy) Wilson. Continuing his legacy are his nephews: Jerry (Mary) Ankton of Little Rock, AR, Samuel Ankton of Ypsilanti, MI, Johnny Neal, Bobbie (Charlotte) Neal, Randy (Marshall) Quarles , and Sammy Delamar all of Dalark, AR, Verdie Carr Jr. and Michael Carr of Kansas City, MO, Glen Harrison of Jacksonville, AR; his nieces: Rena Burroughs, Glennie Neal both of Ypsilanti, Mi, Diann (Michael) Epps of Camden, AR, Rena Carr Johnson of Kansas City, MO, and Bonnie Locke Osborne of Sparkman, AR. and many great nieces, nephews and several friends Public visitation will be held on Friday, May 24, 2013 from 12 noon until 6:00 p.m. There is no family hour scheduled. A tribute to his life will be at 2:00 on Saturday, May 25, 2013 at Mt. Olive A.M.E. Church in Dalark, Arkansas with Rev. Linda Butler officiating. The committal service and final resting place will be in Piney Grove Cemetery. Click the TributeLink to watch the video tribute.