Jimmie Kerr

Jimmie B. Kerr of Casa Grande passed away peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by his family, on November 20, 2024, at the age of 90. Born on April 20, 1934, Jimmie was the beloved husband of 66 years to Donna Kerr; the doting father of Barry Kerr (Natasha), Julie Iarrobino (Gus), and Kristi White (Lee); and the revered grandfather of Ryan and Travis Kerr, Cameron, Brett, and Allison Iarrobino, and Jared and Jordan White. 

Born in Tucson, Arizona to Clarence and Sylvia Kerr, Jimmie moved to Casa Grande after his mother passed away in 1935, his father wanting to raise him in a small town. Jimmie graduated from Casa Grande Union High School in 1953 as student body president and a participant in 1952 Boys State. While enrolled at Arizona State University, he was inducted into Sigma Nu. He met Donna Kemper, whom he quickly fell in love with and married a year after he graduated in 1957 with his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Like his wife, Jimmie was a loyal Sun Devils fan and dutifully held season tickets for nearly 50 years. 

Jimmie belonged to the ROTC while at ASU and was assigned as an accounting specialist in the Air Force after graduation. Jimmie also worked for General Electric in Phoenix, but Casa Grande stayed in his heart. He soon moved back home and opened Kerr’s Cleaners, a local dry cleaning service, and became an involved member of the Chamber of Commerce. In 1960, Jimmie and Donna purchased a house on Gilbert Avenue, a house they’ve called their home ever since. 

With Jimmie’s move back home came his involvement with local politics. He was first elected to Casa Grande City Council in 1963; four years later, he served two terms as Mayor. In 1977, Jimmie took office as Pinal County Supervisor, a position he held for eight years before his return to Casa Grande City Hall for his third term as Mayor in 1985. Always willing to go where he was needed most, Jimmie returned to county-wide service as Supervisor in 1997. By the time Jimmie retired in 2004, he had accrued a staggering, four decades-long record as a public servant, a tenure during which he never lost a race and was named both Outstanding Man of Casa Grande in 1965 and Outstanding Man of the State of Arizona in 1970.

 In 1998, the city renamed a portion of Arizona State Highway 238 to Jimmie Kerr Boulevard in his honor, a testament to his status as a living, local legend. Jimmie remained active in the community as a member of the local Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge. His retirement was filled with welcome visits home from his children and grandchildren, frequent vacations with Donna in Oceanside, California, and evenings spent at Frank Kush Field rooting for Sun Devil victories. Watching and hearing of all seven of his grandchildren graduating from college in the last 10 years was a family achievement he took enormous pride in. 

Jimmie’s storied career and enormous civic contributions to Casa Grande mark him as an unforgettable institution in the community. He is remembered by the city exactly as he is remembered by his family - a dedicated, gentle man who would do anything to help the people and places he held dear. Services will be held on Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024 at Trinity Southern Baptist Church, 1100 E. Trinity Pl., Casa Grande, AZ 85122, at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to the Hospice Charitable Fund of Central Arizona (PO Box 11859, Casa Grande, AZ 85130-1859) or the Museum of Casa Grande (110 W. Florence Blvd., Casa Grande, AZ, 85122.