Jerry Milton Carr, age 80, a lifetime resident of the Valley and Chewelah, WA communities passed away on December 3, 2023 in Chewelah, WA. Jerry was born on August 23, 1943, in Chewelah the son of Merv and Helen L (Erdman) Carr.

Jerry was raised in Valley on the family farm located in the Waitts Lake area. When Jerry was 5 years old he contracted polio and spent time in an iron lung. The recovery process was long and in the end Jerry lost the use of his left arm. He attended school in Valley where he graduated in 1962, which would be the last class to graduate from Valley High School. While there he was active in sports. Jerry was an outstanding athlete and never let his disability hold him back. He was the kicker in football, a pitcher in baseball and he played basketball where he had a wicked jump hook shot. After graduation, he began taking college courses in Chewelah before moving to Spokane where he attended Spokane Falls Community College. After failing his swimming course, he decided he had had enough college and purchased a gas station in Spokane which he operated for a short time. It was then he decided to follow in his father's footsteps as a prospector and miner. He returned to Valley and started a family in 1963. His career in prospecting kept him in excellent physical condition as he traversed endless mountain miles on foot. Jerry's prospecting and mining skills spanned from pyrotechnics to gold panning. In the summer,  he would take his family to Asotin, WA where they would help work the family gold claim. Jerry moved to the Waitts Lake area in 1979. While there he met the love of his life, Maudie H. Tyre. They married in 1991 at the Hitchin Post in Post Falls, ID and were inseparable. They complimented each other perfectly in life, passions and daily practicalities. She was his everything and he was her rock.

Jerry was an avid outdoorsman and had earned the nickname "Mule" for his ability to move tirelessly, with a loaded pack, and leave only his footprints to be seen as he pulled away from the group. He loved to hunt deer and elk and knew all the hotspots for huckleberries and mushrooms. He also knew where to cast a line-and-lure from the smallest local ponds and streams to the rivers and larger waters. Jerry was a meat and potatoes man who preferred the simple goodness of a home cooked meal and family to share it with. He found joy in the gift of kindness, compassion and generosity. Jerry offered no judgment of others, just an ear to listen, a welcoming gesture and a heart to help. He led a full life and his bucket list was nearly complete.

Jerry was preceded in death by his son, Clayton Farnsworth; daughter, Tammy Carr and brother, Jim Carr and wife, Charlene.

He is survived by his wife Maudie Carr, at the home; sister Mary and husband Francis Rainbolt; brother Marty Carr and wife Diana; son, David Carr and wife Theresa; all of Valley; grandchildren: Josh, Jessica, Justina, Aaron, Duane, Ashley, Davina, Jacqueline, Chandler, John Paul and Jesse; great-grandchildren: Tyler, Jeremy, Haily, Bella, Tori, Trinity, Aly and Walter; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held in the Spring of 2024. Memorial contributions may be given to the Valley School. Please visit the online memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com. Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory is entrusted with the arrangements.