Treasure hunter, bargain lover, collector, volunteer, chemical engineer, fashion plate, and award-winning amateur photographer, Donald G. Carr passed away at age 88 on Feb. 15, 2023. He was born April 28, 1934. While he spent his final years in Scottsdale, Arizona, his heart remained in Burlington, where he lived in a house his parents built in 1941.
Don grew up in Chicago, attended St. Mel High School, and obtained a chemical engineering degree in 1956 from the Illinois Institute of Technology. He had a distinguished career with Standard Oil/Amoco/BP in Naperville, Illinois, before retiring to Burlington, where he volunteered with Love, Inc. for 27 years.
Don is survived by his children, Dara, Charlie (Kelly), Richard, and Andrew; grandchildren Elina, Lily, and Natalie; brother, Gene (Aurora); nephew Peter; cousin Dorothy Huff; and dear friends Angela Bultas, Mark Czecholinski, Sally Dongarra, and Kenny Radic. He was preceded in death by his parents (Henriette and Charles); brother Jack (Sally); ex-wife (Mildred) and close friends, Dick Turke, Otto Bultas, and Jack McDonough.
Don will be remembered for his great sense of humor (he liked to joke that his middle initial “G,” stood for Gorgeous), daring fashion sense (his philosophy with ties was the uglier the better), and kindness to people and animals alike. He loved the West, especially Yellowstone and Glacier parks, and hated asking directions, resulting in many grand adventures and infamous “shortcuts.” In his last years of life, he proved his mettle, surviving a broken neck, multiple heart attacks, and other assaults. His lively spirit and quickness with a quip never diminished, nor did his love of ice cream. Eat the ice cream—or do whatever you love. Even with a full life, such as the one Don led, death comes too soon.
Services will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. with a celebration of life service from 11 to 11:30 a.m. and a graveside prayer and blessing at 11:50 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Don’s name to Love, Inc.
Well-wishers may visitwww.danielsfamilyfuneral.com.
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