Kenneth A. Carr, 75, of Taunton, MA, formerly of East Taunton, Easton and Norwood, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, November 22, 2024.

Born in Boston on March 12, 1949, Ken was the oldest child of the late John G. and Barbara A. (Long) Carr of West Bridgewater.

He was a graduate of Oliver Ames High School where he starred at halfback in football and ran the 100 yard dash in under 10 seconds as a sprinter. Ken later enlisted in the Army during the Vietnam War where he served in the 82nd Airborne Division and earned the Green Beret with the 46th Special Forces Company (Airborne) in Thailand. He also competed as an amateur boxer during his time in the service. After the Army he took classes at Cape Cod Community College and rode his motorcycle cross country, settling in Santa Barbara, CA for a period of time. He later lived in St. Croix where he was an assistant golf pro and then worked as a commercial fisherman out of Fall River. He was an avid outdoorsman and had a love of animals, especially reptiles, and owned a number of exotic tortoises, snakes and lizards throughout his lifetime. Ken wrote poetry and short stories, dabbled in art, taught himself to play the guitar, enjoyed film and music, and was a veracious reader who considered his book collection to be his prized possession.

Perhaps most importantly, Ken was a dedicated father who endeavored to instill his unique worldview, code of honor, and virtues of intellectual curiosity in his children.

He is survived by his four children, John A. Carr and his wife Carolyn (Walsh) of Mansfield, Julie M. Richards and her husband Ray of Millbury, Elizabeth A. Carr of Weymouth, and Andrea Pontes and her husband Andrew of New Bedford; two sisters, Deborah A. Carr of Falmouth and Nancy I. Mansfield and her husband Jeff of Falmouth; seven adoring grandchildren, Avery, Trey, Cooper, Beau, Jack, June, and Thomas; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his sister, Donna Smith of Bridgewater.

A private burial service with military honors was held at the Massachusetts National Cemetery. Donations in Kenneth's memory may be made to Our Daily Bread Kitchen , 111 High St., Taunton, MA 02780. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.