We were saddened late last week to hear of the passing of former Audubon California Boardmember Gerald “Jerry” Dale Karr. We have so many great memories of working with Jerry here at Audubon California, it’s difficult to know where to begin. Jerry had a great sense of humor and a real passion for life – he made everyone around him feel good. And he channeled his great love of birds into a can-do approach to conservation that inspired everyone around him.

Jerry served on the Board of Audubon California from 2006 to 2012, and chaired our Chapter Committee from 2008 to 2012. Jerry was a board member, past president and conservation chair of the Napa-Solano Audubon Society.  He was also a past president and board member for The Friends of the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge and he was a founding member of the Mare Island Restoration Advisory Board.

A mass in celebration of Jerry Karr’s life will be held this Saturday, March 22, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 3450 Tennessee Street, in Vallejo. A reception will follow at the Elks Lodge, 2850 Redwood Parkway, in Vallejo.

In lieu of flowers, per Jerry’s request, please direct any donations to: Napa Solano Audubon, P.O. Box 10006, Napa, CA 94558 Attn:  Jerry Karr fund or The Friends of the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge, 7715 Lakeville Highway, Petaluma, CA 94954-9266.