In addition to being a loving wife, a generous mother and a devoted grandmother, Judy was a pioneering business woman in the Quad Cities opening her consulting firm – Judy Carr & Associates (JCA) – in 1981 across from Bettendorf’s K&K Hardware.
Over 35 years, JCA grew into a premier software and consulting firm in the Manufactured Housing, Recreation Vehicle and Specialty Trailer industries. Now known as Rainmaker Consulting, the company Judy founded has employed hundreds of Quad Citians over the years.
Judy was born in Boston, Massachusetts and although she lived in Davenport for 35 years, she never forgot her Boston roots. She said “tomato” with an accent that gave her away and she was as direct and forthright as you’d expect. Never fully embracing “Iowa Nice,” she told you what she thought and held you accountable for your actions whether or not you were ready for it. Those closest to her observed, much to their chagrin, that while she wasn’t always “nice,” she was almost always right in her observations and advice.
Judy did have a pair of kid gloves that she reserved for moments when tenderness and compassion were needed most. And her heart would swell, her edges would soften and her smile would broaden from ear to ear for her eight grandchildren, each whom she adored in their own special way. She could be seen regularly at local high school events (Go Blue!), but would also travel to Kansas City and Red Deer to see her grandchildren in action, attend a birthday or celebrate a holiday.
Her work was her passion and consumed most of her energy but she leaves a string of lasting friendships in her wake that runs from Maine (where she went to camp every summer), through Columbus, Ohio (where she raised her young family), to the Quad Cities (where that family matured) and on to almost every state in the union (and Alberta) through her friendships with clients who deeply respected her honesty, her ability and her genuine concern for their businesses.
Judy met Bill Carr in 1964 when they went to colleges across the street from each other. Judy was at Connecticut College for Women and Bill was a second class Officer Candidate at the Coast Guard Academy. During their courtship, a spark ignited which burned bright as they navigated through five decades of cultural, social, political, economic and personal change that left them both totally different people yet still completely in love – as wife and husband, Mom and Dad, business owners and partners and most recently empty nesters but never retirees. They spent each day living and working together each retaining their own spirited force of personality and they supported, laughed, fought, loved and respected each other for 50 years, 6 days and 52 minutes.
Judy McIntosh Carr is survived by her husband Bill Carr, children Chad & Mia Carr of Davenport, Lauren (Stacy) Larsen of Red Deer Alberta, and Brian & Kati Carr of Shawnee KS, eight grandchildren Charlie, Margaret & Grace Carr, Matthew, Peter and Evan Larsen and Ethan & Molly Carr, three siblings, Gaye Ludwig of Vero Beach, FL, Jim McIntosh of Columbus, OH and Linda Whalen of Dedham, MA, nieces and nephews and mother Frances McIntosh Davies (97) of Vero Beach, FL.
Services will be held on Friday April 15th at 1:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church on Iowa Street in Davenport. An open house is planned at Bill & Judy’s home on Saturday the 16th from 10:00 – 3:00. All are welcome.
Obituary provided by her daughter Lauren Carr Larsen. ##
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Editor’s notes: My personal condolences go out to Bill, Chad and their family. I’ve said privately and publicly that the articles they wrote in the now defucnt Manufacturd Home Merchandiser Magazine during my early years as an MH sales and management professional made a significant difference for me. Judy was always gracious and warm around me. Bill and Chad are serious, thoughtful professionals that no doubt made Judy proud. My family, team and I want to express our deepest and sincere condolences to all touched by her loss. May she rest in peace.
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Top Photo credit, Facebook.
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Article posted by L. A. “Tony” Kovach.
