Kane County Remembers John Carr, Former Veterans Assistance Commission Superintendent
John Carr, the former Superintendent of the Kane County Veterans Assistance Commission and longtime resident of Batavia, tragically passed away at the age of 75 in a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 635 in Kansas on February 12.
Carr joined the Kane County Veterans Assistance Commission as a hospital caseworker in 1974 and made history in 1977 as the first Vietnam veteran chosen to serve as a Commission Superintendent in Illinois. Additionally, he served as an Accredited Representative for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs beginning in 1993, advocating tirelessly for those who served our country.
"John’s legacy is the prosperity of Kane County’s veteran community. He dedicated decades of his life to making sure our veterans were supported and respected—and that impact will be felt for generations to come," said Jake Zimmerman, Superintendent of the Kane County Veterans Assistance Commission.
A true visionary, John was instrumental in conceiving and developing the Kane County Veterans Memorial, which was dedicated in November 2004. This memorial proudly honors the names of all who lost their lives in service to our nation—from the Spanish-American War through the Persian Gulf War era.
Born in Vincennes, Indiana, John Carr was raised at Mooseheart. After graduating, he entered the Army in 1969 and trained at Fort Polk, Louisiana, before being assigned to A Company, 501st Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division at Camp Eagle, Republic of Vietnam. He was wounded on July 17, 1970, in an attack on Firebase Ripcord in the A Shau Valley and retired from the Army on October 1, 1972.
His service earned him numerous military honors, including the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and several others. In January 2014, the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs recognized John Carr as the Illinois Veteran of the Month for his distinguished service and leadership.
Carr was also a proud life member of several organizations, including the American Legion, American Veterans, Disabled American Veterans, and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
During a County Board meeting in February 2013, Carr received a heartfelt and extended standing ovation in recognition of his lifetime of service to both his country and the veterans of Kane County.
While details are still being finalized, the Kane County Veterans Assistance Commission is planning a special memorial to honor John Carr at the site of the Kane County Veterans Memorial that he was so instrumental in bringing to the community.
