James Allen Kerr

James “Jim” Allen Kerr, 74, of Burghill, passed away on Sunday, May 17, 2026, following a brief illness.  Up until his passing, Jim had lived a vibrant and healthy life.

Born June 8, 1951, Jim grew up in Clay County, West Virginia.  After graduating high school, he relocated to northeast Ohio.  He proudly served his country in the Navy during the Vietnam War, being deployed overseas aboard the WW II era destroyer, the USS Sarsfield, as a gun control technician.  He served from 1971 to 1976 (two years in the reserves). 

Jim worked for 48 years at Delphi/Packard as a journeyman tool and die maker, working from 1969 until his retirement in 2017.  He was always sharing the importance of saving for retirement and how to go about it.  He was a dedicated member and leader within IUE-CWA Local 717.

Jim’s true passion was his motorcycles.  He found freedom on two wheels, sometimes three with a sidecar, riding with family and friends throughout the 48 continental United States and Canada.  He and his sidekick, Wile E. Coyote, made lifelong friends along the way.  He also spent several years teaching beginner sidecar classes to pass on his expertise.

Jim is survived by siblings Joe Kerr and his wife, Ruth Anne, Fran Schafstall and her husband, Mike, and Frank “Dink” (Jim’s special name for his little brother) Kerr Jr. and his wife, Connie; as well as his nieces and nephews.  He was loved and will be missed by family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Lewis Kerr Sr. and Sarah Lorene Kerr Chapman and a sister, Linda Joyce Perry.

No services will be held.  His  cremains will be interred at Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery, a beautiful resting place in Dunbar, West Virginia.

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