Daily Democrat, Clinton MO - Marcus Melvin Kerr was born on July 5, 1905, in South Omaha, Nebraska, son of Thadeus C. Kerr and the former Myrtle MacDonough. After his mother died he moved with his father, sisters and stepmother to Osceola where he was in the eighth grade. In his youth he wanted an automobile and his father helped him find work on a farm, plowing one furrow at a time behind a team of mules for room, board and $1 a day. When he had saved enough he bought a new one, the first model with an electric starter, beginning a lifelong fascination with the new technology of the automobile. Marc enlisted in the Navy in 1923, serving afloat in the brand new cruiser USS Cincinnati as a "plank-owner" of the initial crew at her commissioning at Bremerton, Washington. He served as bow hook on the Captain's Gig at her homeport of San Diego. He also participated at exercises in Hawaiian waters where tactics were perfected that saved many lives later in World War II. He was proud of his designation as Master Gunner (anti-aircraft). He served ashore during the Nicaraguan Insurrection as machine gunner on the train bringing mail and payroll from the port of Corino through territory controlled by the rebels under Sandino to the embassy in the capital city of Managua. He later transferred to the cruiser USS Raleigh, sailing her to be decommissioned at the Brooklyn Navy Yard under the terms of the Washington Naval Treaty for Disarmament. He was honorably discharged in August 1927 as a Seaman, First Class. After his Navy service Marc worked on the survey crew building the old bridge at Osceola. A Clinton coworker on the crew brought him here for a weekend and he met and married Eula Hannah Moore after a whirlwind two-week courtship. They eloped to Warrensburg where they were married August 15, 1928, in the parlor of the Methodist Chapel with the pastor's wife and his best friend as witnesses. They were a devoted couple for 67 years until she died February 7, 1996. Through correspondence with a Navy shipmate he learned of work in Indianapolis so Marc and Eula moved there shortly after their marriage and remained proud Hoosiers for 61 years. He worked in the RCA Plant at a time when electronics were just becoming available for purchase for use in the home and office. He served for 30 years as a U.S. Post Office Department letter carrier in the State Office Building where he was on a friendly first name basis with legislators, judges and workers at every level. He was an active member of the Scottish Rite Masonic Lodge, a loyal Shriner and proud member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Their home was always a welcome place for their beloved nephew and nieces; Chester and Mary Ann Moore, Anne and Bruce Marshall and Patsy and Dick Newell, as well as all other members of their extended family. Marc was a friendly man whose sincere greeting of "Howdy, Bub!" brought joy to old friends and strangers alike. His love of gardening really showed as their home was a show place in the neighborhood. His shop produced marvels of carpentry including a purple martin house that hosted 30 birds and many elegant frames for Eula's needlepoint. They patiently taught their parakeets to talk and it was a delight to hear them perform Peter Piper Picked A Peck ... and Papa's Pretty Precious Baby. In Clinton, Marc especially enjoyed his Pomeranian "Buddy". Marc returned to Clinton with Eula in 1989 and rekindled old friendships and made new ones. He enjoyed being out around the city and warmly greeted friends at the 50th wedding anniversary celebration of Beulah and Glen Elrod on April 14, 1996, at Westwood Nursing Center. Marcus was also preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Zoe and Irene; stepmother, brothers- and sisters-in-law, Roy and Courtney Moore, Adelaide Moore White Allen, Given White and Ernest Allen, and a nephew Chester Moore. He is survived by three nieces, six grandnieces and nephews, Susan Cornelius, Aletha McNally, Mark Newell, Richard Newell, Jill Hecht and Paula Porter, and six great-grandnieces and nephews, Ryan Newell, Christopher McNally, Robert Hecht, Madalyn McNally, Austin Newell and Hannah Hecht. His memorial service was conducted May 17 at Sickman and Dunning Chapel. Burial was at Englewood Cemetery, where he was laid to rest beside his wife in the Moore family plot.