Thomas H Carr

Friends and family will gather in Santa Cruz on August 30th to say farewell and give thanks for the life of Reverend Tom Carr, who passed away at his Santa Cruz home following a year long illness. He was 82. Reverend Carr was pastor for many years at First Presbyterian Church (now Vintage Faith Church) in Santa Cruz, and his career as a clergyman spanned over 60 years. Born in Des Moines, Iowa, he was raised in Newton, Iowa and Burlingame, California and earned his bachelor's degree from Willamette College in Oregon. He graduated from Princeton College Seminary in New Jersey, and earned his Master's degree in Theology from Santa Clara University. Never one to boast of his accomplishments or accolades, he will forever be remembered by those whose lives he touched, both young and old, of his passion for interdenominational sharing of Christian values and beliefs. Reverend Carr personified the notion that God was very present outside of a church; often speaking of his beloved Santa Cruz Community as "One Church with Many Locations". He was very active in Senior Outreach in Santa Cruz County and took on many church leadership roles in his career. He was proud to have coordinated and officiated with a local priest to perform Santa Cruz's first Catholic – Protestant Church Wedding. He enjoyed food (Tom's first word was "Eat" and he ate his last day!), sports and many fond memories will continue to be shared of the family vacations to Lake Almanor, and the Lake Almanor Country Club that his father, Luther Carr was a founding member. He and beloved wife Becky loved to travel following retirement and grateful for the blessings and opportunities that they shared together. He is survived by his wife Becky Carr, his two sons; Thomas Carr, and Kenneth Carr; his five beloved grandchildren, Christopher, Michael, Natasha, Nadia and Nathan. He also leaves a large and loving extended family. Services will be at Vintage Faith (350 Mission St.) Santa Cruz, 95060 on Tuesday, August 30, 2016 beginning at 1 p.m. Any kind acts of charity in his memory can be made to Vintage Faith Church, Church Leader Network, Second Harvest Food Bank or Hospice of Santa Cruz.