HARRISONBURG, Va. (June 8, 2004) — Raymond E. Carr Sr., founder of Ray Carr Tires Inc., died May 25. He was 90.
Mr. Carr started Carr's Tire Service in 1943. He was a founding member of the Virginia Tire Dealers and Retreaders Association, which he later served as president, director and committees member. He also was a director of and active in the National Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association, a predecessor to the current Tire Industry Association.
At its peak in the 1980s, Ray Carr Tires was one of the largest retreading operations in the U.S. Many of the dealership's locations were sold a few years ago, but son Ray Carr Jr. still manages the company's retail stores in Harrisonburg and Charlottesville, Va., and is president of Red Bird Tire L.L.C., another retreading company. Ray Carr Sr.'s other son, Everette, owns Ray Carr Tires of Waynesboro, Va.
Mr. Carr is survived by his wife, Minnie; three sons, Leroy, Ray Jr. and Everette; daughter Carolyn Huffman; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; a sister and other relatives.