Domestic Diversions

Obituary for Judge Stephen Karr
Judge Stephen W. Karr, died on September 28, 2007. He was born on the Island of Samos, Greece on June 20, 1919, and emigrated to the United States with his parents, William and Angeline Karr, at the age of 13 months. He graduated from the University of Michigan Literary College and the University of Michigan Law School. Judge Karr practiced law in Grand Rapids for 24 years until his appointment as a United States Magistrate Judge in the federal court in Grand Rapids. He served as a Magistrate Judge for 16 years until his retirement in 1987. Judge Karr served in World War II as a Major in the India-Burma Theater where he was assigned to the OSS (Office of Strategic Services) as the commanding officer of an OSS operational camp training native agents in espionage, intelligence, and guerilla warfare missions. In 1949, he was awarded the Santimala (Peace) Medal by the King of Siam (Thailand) for his service. Following his army discharge, Judge Karr served as a reserve officer in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps where he attained the rank of Colonel as a Military Judge. In 1972, he was awarded an Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service as a General Court Martial Military Judge in the United State Army Judiciary. In 1987, Judge Karr was given the Service to the Profession Award by the Western Michigan Chapter of the Federal Bar Association for his service in the improvement of the administration of justice in the federal courts. Judge Karr is survived by his wife of 57 years, Bette L. Karr; his children, Carol J. Karr (Kevin Briggs), Stephen D. Karr (Melanie), Alan W. Karr (Deborah Greiner), and Catherine J. Karr (Steven DeBroux); his grandchildren, Adam Briggs, Benjamin Briggs, William Briggs, Alex Briggs, Angela Karr, Zoe DeBroux, and Thea DeBroux; and his sister, Ann Cardy (Frank) and brother, James Karr (Judy). A memorial service will be held at Fountain Street Church on Friday, November 2, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Fountain Street Church or to the University of Michigan for the Stephen W. Karr Scholarship Fund, c/o University of Michigan, 500 South State Street, Suite 5000, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1382. Memorial Alternatives 2432 Fuller NE, 363-3700 www.memorialalternatives.com