Vernon Kerr

VERNON EARL "HANK" KERRAge 86, lifelong resident of Albuquerque, died Saturday, March 2, 2013 at home after many months on hospice care. His wife and daughters were by his side. Born in November, 1926, Hank graduated from Albuquerque High School and received Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Engineering from the University of New Mexico. He married Barbara Lee Weaver in 1955 and they enjoyed nearly 58 years together. Hank was an engineer with Sandia National Laboratories for 36 years, and traveled to and from the Mercury test site in Nevada for a majority of these years. He was also a retired army major and a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church. Hank was a man of many talents. His daughters and granddaughter have fond memories of the amazing backyard playhouse and the family cabin, both of which he built. He taught himself how to make beautiful silver jewelry, enjoyed fishing and gardening, and was a legendary cook. Hank had a wonderful sense of humor, which he shared right up to the end of his life. Hank was preceded in death by his parents, Julian Thorne and Gladys Marsh Kerr, and his siblings, Dorothy Waite, Jack Kerr, and Patricia Anderson. Hank leaves behind his wife, Barbara; his two daughters, Lisa A. Kerr of Albuquerque and Valerie R. Kerr of Farmington, and his granddaughter, Claire Dalby. He also leaves his sisters Marilyn (John) DeWitt, Carol (Bob) Bellor, and Shirley (Bill) Phillips, as well as several nephews and nieces. Thanks to the dedicated people at Heartland Hospice and our caregivers Brittany Rosales, and LaDawna Kidder for their compassionate and loving care. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, June 22, 2013, 11:00 a.m., at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 9315 Candelaria Rd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church or the American Cancer Society.