Kerr 09/28/2006 To live in the hearts that we leave behind is not to die. James (Jimmy) Storm Kerr, born in Brookhaven, Mississippi on July 28, 1909, passed away on September 19, 2006 in San Antonio, Texas. He grew up in Covington, Louisiana, graduated from St. Paul's School, and attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. During the depression, he worked on the Mississippi River to support his parents and two brothers. In 1932, he moved to San Antonio and worked as an appliance salesman at Joske's. Jimmy joined the Army Air Corps in 1942 serving as a fighter controller in North Africa and Italy, and achieved the rank of captain. After the war, he returned to San Antonio where he met his future wife, Rosemary. In 1946, he opened his own appliance store, the James Kerr Company, which operated on Broadway for ten years. After the birth of his two children, he began to dream of creating an educational science program. In 1956, Jimmy founded the American Basic Science Club, which sold a series of affordable science kits by mail order to children and adults all over the world. Club members received ten kits in all, covering electronics, optics, photography, computers, atomic energy, meteorology, and more. The kits were advertised in such magazines as Boy's Life, Science Digest, and others. Later in life, Jimmy went on to design and receive a patent for an Optical Illusion Room, which was exhibited at the Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas. At the age of 82, he wrote and published Cosmic Doodles, which illustrated a unique and easy method of drawing intricate and beautiful geometric forms. Jimmy was the heart of the family. In addition to being a warm, loving husband and father, his involvement in his nieces' and nephews' lives went far beyond the usual role of uncle. For many decades, he has been the patriarch of a very close extended family. He was loved for his kindness, humility, acceptance of and genuine interest in others. Jimmy and Rosemary had 58 wonderful years together. It was a true partnership, in both business and family life. Later on, they enjoyed traveling through the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Central America. He was preceded in death by his parents James Daugherty Kerr and Sara Storm Kerr, and his two brothers Wallace McGrath Kerr and Harvey Cleveland Kerr. He is survived by his wife Rosemary Luckett Kerr; by his daughter Katharine Luckett Kerr and her husband Malcolm Harris Davies of San Antonio; by his son James Daugherty Kerr and his wife Carolyn Jones Kerr of Austin; and by his granddaughters Dylan Kerr Davies of Santa Fe NM, and Christina Evelyn Kerr of Austin. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws. MEMORIAL SERVICE FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2006 3:00 P.M. ALAMO HEIGHTS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 6201 BROADWAY Rev. Dr. Richard Knott officiating. Donations may be made to Alamo Heights Presbyterian Church, 6201 Broadway, San Antonio TX 78209; SAMMinistries, 5254 Blanco Road, San Antonio TX 78216; or the Rotary Foundation, c/o Alamo Heights Rotary Club, P.O. Box 6995, San Antonio TX 78209. You are invited to sign the guestbook at www.porterloring.com Arrangements with Porter Loring Mortuary.