Richard “Dick” Morten Carr, age 91, of Cedarville, Michigan, died on Sunday, December 1, 2024, at Cedar Cove Assisted Living in Cedarville. He was born on September 6, 1933, in Hessel, Michigan, to Otis and Marian (Mortensen) Carr.
Dick and Bertha Ann Lee were high school sweethearts and married shortly after graduation in 1952. They moved to Ferndale, Michigan, where he honed his welding skills while working at a business owned by family friends. They welcomed their daughter, Debra, in 1953 while they were living in Ferndale. In 1954 they moved back to the Upper Peninsula. Dick’s experience in welding led to him working on both the Mackinac Bridge and the International Bridge. After that, he worked various jobs until his brother-in-law, Lawrence, started a construction business. The two of them earned a fine reputation as builders and many homeowners in the area recall these men working on their homes.
During those years Dick enjoyed playing on the local Men’s Fast Pitch Baseball Team and the Men’s Basketball League. His family and friends spent many nights under the lights and in the gym cheering them on. In 1968, Dick took a job at the US Steel Dolomite Quarry as a welder, where he worked until he retired in the 1980's. After that, he worked for several construction companies in the area until Bertha retired. They then joined the local snowbird group who headed to Florida every winter and in the summer months they enjoyed overnight boat trips up the St. Mary’s River with their friends.
Dick was involved in several local organizations belonging to the Lions Club, Sportsmen Club, Trojan Booster Club. He also was on the First Union Church Board and he and Bertha were involved in many church programs through the years.
Dick’s passion for hunting led to having three hunting dogs, Missy, Penny, and Buddy, who each were very special to the family. He spent many hours hunting birds with his best pal Arnie Hamel. Dick and Arnie had front row seats together at the Trojan games and rarely missed a night in the gym. When the new bleachers were installed years ago, they earned special reserved seats in honor of their dedication to the sports program. He sat in that seat for many years supporting girls’ and boys’ sports, rarely ever missing a home game, most especially when his grandson and granddaughter played. In recent years, Dick was able to cheer on his great-grandsons, who then became “Islanders”.
The highlight through these years was heading to the Breslin Center where his big dream came true in 2007 when the team won the Class D Championship and in 2009 were Runner Up. When Dick was twelve, he began working as a caddy at the Les Cheneaux Golf Course, which led to his passion and skills for golfing. He spent many recreational hours on the golf courses around the EUP earning quite a reputation around the area. He played his last 18 holes of golf at Munuscong Golf Course in the summer of 2023, but had to hang up the clubs because of his health challenges. In the 1960’s, Dick began the Wood Sign Shop in memory of Arnie. He has made countless custom wood signs throughout our community for businesses and homes. He also designed tables with LCI maps which many folks still display in their homes. Benches also can be seen at local businesses and resorts in the area.
These custom-made wood signs and furniture will carry on his legacy forever in his beloved Les Cheneaux Islands. Dick and his family also display wood framed Christmas trees at their home which are enjoyed by many families and friends each year. He cherished his family and friends and loved living here in the Les Cheneaux Islands. In the 1980’s. he and his son-in-law, Dave, built a family cottage on Big LaSalle Island where countless memories have been made throughout the years. His four great-grandsons Jarrett, Jacob, Gavin and Colson were blessed to have a healthy and active great grandfather, and they each have a special bond with their “Bumpa”.
Dick is survived by his wife, Bertha; daughter, Debra (David) St. Onge; grandson, Kevin (Beth) St. Onge; great-grandchildren, Jarrett St. Onge, Jacob St. Onge, Gavin Smith and Colson Smith; son-in-law, Blake Smith; brother, David (Joy) Carr; nieces, Tammy Cruickshank, Davine Hester, and Shelly Otto; and nephews, Mike Lofdahl and David Lofdahl.
Dick was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Tricia Smith; parents, Otis & Marian; sister, Patricia (Lawrence) Lofdahl; brother, Donald Carr; grandfather, Mort Mortensen; grandparents, Everett & Margaret (Kerr) Carr; and nephew, Dana Lofdahl.
A Memorial Gathering will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2024, from 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM at the First Union Church, 159 E. Hodeck St., Cedarville, MI 49719. The Celebration of Life will start at 12:30 PM, with a luncheon to immediately follow.
Memorial Donations can be made in Richard’s honor to the Dick Carr Athletic Memorial Scholarship at Po Box 249 Cedarville, MI 49719, Cedar Cove Assisted Living at 266 S Mary L St., Cedarville, MI 49719, or the Clark Township Ambulance Corp at W. Weston Ave., Cedarville, MI 49719.
Family Life Funeral Homes assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com.
Obituary as submitted by family.
