Mr. Thomas "Tommy" James Kerr, Jr

Mr. Thomas James Kerr, Jr. age 72 of High Point, died peacefully Saturday, October 1, 2011 at the Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson, NC after an extended illness. Tommy was born in Charlotte, NC on November 16, 1938, son of Thomas James and Jean Funderburke Kerr, who preceded him in death. Having grown up in Mount Airy, Tommy fondly recalled memories of his days as a student at Mount Airy High School where he was the center on the varsity football team. The friendships he developed at that time have lasted for 60 plus years, and it was the members of his graduating class who were most supportive and encouraging during the last six months of his life. It was ironic that Tommy died the morning these friends he loved had gathered for their 55th Class Reunion. Upon graduation from Mount Airy High School in 1956, he entered High Point University, where he received a BS degree in Business Administration. He was a Brother of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and took great pride in his fraternity's tradition for excellence. Tommy later entered the MBA program at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Tommy was a successful business man for many years and very active in community affairs in High Point. Prior to retirement, he was president of Master Samples and later Southern Samples Corporation, which supplied fabric samples to many of the major furniture manufacturing companies in the state. Tommy was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas James and Jean Funderburke Kerr; his older sister, Jean Kerr Brandon; and his brother, Reid Patterson Kerr. He is survived by his sister, Anne Kerr Walker and brother-in-law, Dr. Lawrence Walker of Winston-Salem; dear friend Sarah Doggett Folckomer of Burlington; and his faithful dog, Friskie. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 2 PM at Moody Funeral Home Chapel in Mount Airy with the family receiving friends an hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Oakdale Cemetery immediately afterwards.
Online condolences may be made at www.moodyfuneralservices.com.