Former senator dies
By Staff Reports
Published in News on May 25, 2015 1:46 PM
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John H. Kerr III
John H. Kerr III, who championed eastern North Carolina causes during more than two decades in the state General Assembly, died Sunday at Kitty Askins Hospice Center.
He was 79.
Funeral arrangements will be announced later this week by Seymour Funeral Home and Cremation Service.
Kerr, a Democrat, was first elected to the state House of Representatives in 1986, serving three terms before being elected to the state Senate in 1992.
He was completing his eighth term when he announced in December 2007 that he would not seek re-election in 2008.
"Twenty years is a pretty long pull," Kerr said at that time. "It's been a real honor to represent and help people. I've worked hard, and I've enjoyed it, but everything has to come to an end."
At that time, then-Senate President Pro Tempore Marc Basnight, D-Dare, called Kerr "one of the best and most dedicated public servants" the state ever had.
"To say John is unique is a huge understatement. He works so tirelessly and with so much selflessness on behalf of the people he represents," Basnight said at that time. "We all rely on his leadership and expertise -- particularly in matters of finance and rural infrastructure needs. John has been a good friend to me and to the Senate, and he will be sorely missed in the legislature."
Kerr's focus included the need to increase eastern North Carolina's infrastructure, such as water, sewer, natural gas and roads.
He also was a champion for the construction of the new Cherry Hospital and was vocal in his support of getting the Interstate 795 designation for the stretch of U.S. 117 between Goldsboro and Wilson.
Kerr was an advocate for East Carolina University, helping to push through funding for its dental school.
While in the House, Kerr served as chairman of various subcommittees of the Finance Committee and on several committees focusing on legal issues, such as the Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Referenda and the Judiciary III Committee.
He served as co-chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, the Revenue Laws Study Committee, and a member of numerous others, including Judiciary II and Commerce.
Kerr received the Order of Long Leaf Pine, the state's highest civilian honor, and a plaque of appreciation from the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center for his leadership in providing financial assistance on water and sewer projects for struggling communities across the state.
He led the fight in the Senate for the 1998 Clean Water Bonds and for creation of the Clean Water Partners Infrastructure Program.
Born in Warrenton, Kerr was a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, president of the junior class, treasurer of the student body and president of the Order of the Grail.
After receiving his bachelor's degree, Kerr attended the University of North Carolina Law School, receiving a Juris Doctorate with honors in 1961.
He was a partner in the law firm of Warren, Kerr, Walston, Taylor, and Smith, LLP.
Kerr served on the board of directors of the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association, the local board of BB&T, the board of Wayne Memorial Community Building, the board of directors of the Wayne County Boys and Girls Club.
He served as a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Wayne County and its Military Affairs Committee and the Rotary Club.
He was a member of Madison Avenue Baptist Church.
Kerr and his wife, Sandra, have two sons, John H. Kerr IV and James Y. Kerr II.