James "Jim" R. Tarr, Jr. Obituary (1928 - 2023)

James "Jim" R. Tarr, Jr., age 95, of Butler, PA, passed away on November 5, 2023 at Concordia Lutheran Ministries at Cabot. Jim was born on August 19, 1928, in Pittsburgh, PA to the late James R. and Rachel C. Tarr. He graduated in 1946, from Bethel Twp. High School, Bethel Park, PA. Jim was a WW II veteran with service in Japan. After discharge, he received a BS degree from Clarion State College and a Masters Degree from Westminster College. Jim also attended Antioch College as well as Penn State University. He taught at Union High School in New Castle. Later, he sold school textbooks and was president of the PA Professional Bookmen. He invested in real estate as well as owning a trucking company. Jim and his wife enjoyed traveling and spent 25 winters in Florida. Many of their trips were to visit family in Colorado. He was a volunteer for the Boy Scouts when his sons were members. He owned several antique cars and International tractors. Jim was a member of the American Truck Historical Society, Model T Ford Club, and International Harvester Collectors Club. Jim was Presbyterian. He was a life member of Bethel Masonic Lodge 761, Coudersport Consistory and Syria Shrine. Jim also belonged to the American Legion Post #778 Lyndora and was a life member of the VFW. Jim is survived by his wife, Sara "Sally" Tarr, whom he married in June of 1954. Also surviving are two sons, James R. (Janet) Tarr III of Slippery Rock, PA, and Jonathan R. (Cristin) Tarr of Littleton, CO; one daughter, Elizabeth T. (Michael) Schwinn of Medina, OH; one granddaughter, Shannon (Jonathan) McHenry of Allison Park, PA; three grandsons, Andrew, Gavin, and Ian Tarr of Littleton, CO; one great-granddaughter, Grayson McHenry; and one brother, Robert Tarr of Arizona. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his in laws, Robert and Mary Knight. The family wishes to thank all the caretakers at Concordia Lutheran Ministries at Cabot for the wonderful care of Jim over the last year and a half and Good Samaritan Hospice for keeping him comfortable in his last days. According to the wishes of James R. Tarr, Jr, there will be no visitation. A private burial service will be at West Liberty Cemetery. Arrangements were handled by Thompson-Miller Funeral Home, Inc., 124 East North St., Butler, PA 16001. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Shriners Children's Hospital, Development and Donor Relations Dept., 1645 West 8th St., Erie, PA 16505. All who knew Jim are encouraged to share their memories and upload photos to his unique remembrance page.