Roll Call Tribute

Published in The (Nacogdoches) Daily Sentinel on Nov. 24, 2014

Walter Langston Kerr

Funeral services for Dr. Walter Langston Kerr, 79, of Nacogdoches will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014, at First Baptist Church of Nacogdoches, with Dr. Allen Reed officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. Dr. Kerr passed away on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24, 2014, at Laird Funeral Home. Dr. Kerr was born on Feb. 3, 1935, in Appleby, to the late W.J. (Bill) Kerr and Ruby Owens. He lived in Garrison from 1935 to 1955, in Lufkin from 1956 to 1980, and in Nacogdoches from 1980 to the time of his passing. Dr. Kerr married his high school sweetheart, Virginia Strong, on May 28, 1955. It was Dr. Kerr's "greatest earthly blessing of my life." Dr. Kerr graduated from Garrison High School in 1953, where he was very active in sports, scouting and his church. He received his Bachelor of Science degree and master's degree from Stephen F. Austin State University. Dr. Kerr received his Doctorate of Philosophy from Texas A&M in 1969. He was a member of the first Fifty Club to receive the Ph.D. from Texas A&M. He was a teacher, principal and superintendent in the Lufkin Public Schools from 1956 to 1973. From 1973 to 1994, he was a professor and the Dean of Education for SFA. Dr. Kerr became a Christian as a result of early teaching of several loving Sunday school teachers. In 1941, he joined the church and was baptized at First Baptist Church Garrison at the age of six. He came to an assurance of salvation later as a teenager. He loved his Lord and Savior, and he showed his love for his Savior, and was ordained in 1960, at Calvary Baptist Church in Lufkin. He received Believer's Baptism, at Calvary Baptist Church at the age of 42. Dr. Kerr joined First Baptist Church in Nacogdoches, on March 8, 1981. His ministerial involvement was very extensive to the day of his passing. In 1982, he became a deacon at First Baptist Church. He served as chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, and served on numerous committees. Dr. Kerr was also a teacher of Men's Sunday school class for 24 years, charter member of prayer Room Ministry, served as a chairman of the long-range planning committee, and also served as chairman of the building committee for the new children's building. In 2001, during a church tour of the Holy Lands, he was baptized by Dr. Allen Reed at the Celebration Baptism at the Jordan River in Israel. Dr. Kerr's favorite scripture was John 3:16 and "Amazing Grace" was his favorite hymn. Dr. Kerr, aside from his church, had his hobbies that he enjoyed doing when he was not at church. He enjoyed fishing, having family gatherings and traveling with his family. Langston is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Virginia Strong Kerr; daughter, Pamela Kerr Cobb (Brant); son, Joseph Langston Kerr (Adrianne); grandchildren, Stephanie Cobb Barr, Callie Kerr Rich, Hailey Cobb Rimskey and Landon Kerr Cobb; great-grandchildren, William Rimskey, Chelsea Wolfe, Payton Rich and Sadie Rich; sister, Linda Fenley (BC Fenley Jr.); brother, Troy Kerr; and many loving nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his mother, Ruby Owens Kerr; father, Willie Kerr; and brother, W.J. Kerr Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Doug Prewitt, Dr. Harold Hill, James Hurst, Robert Strong, Charles Pool, Jimmy Partin, and the members of the Langston Kerr Sunday school class.

Funeral Home

Laird Funeral Home
2116 South St Nacogdoches, TX 75964
(936) 569-1366