Archibald "Chuck" Fairly Carr, III's Obituary
Archibald “Chuck” Fairly Carr, III, age 78, of Gainesville, Florida, passed away at his home in Gainesville on January 21, 2024. Chuck was born in Gainesville on May 10, 1945. His parents were Archibald Fairly Carr, Jr. and Marjorie Harris Carr. He was raised on his family’s farm near Micanopy with his four siblings: Mimi, Stephen, Tommy and David. Chuck was active in the Boy Scouts and attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from Gainesville High School in 1963.
Chuck attended Florida State University for his bachelor’s degree, then served in the United States Navy from 1967 to 1969 during the Vietnam War. He attended the University of Florida for his master’s degree, and then attended the University of Michigan for his Ph.D. in natural resource conservation.
Chuck met Gail Speaker in his father’s office at the University of Florida, where she was working as a part-time secretary for the sea turtle tagging program while she was enrolled in the Department of Zoology’s Ph.D. program. They were married in 1978 and have two children, Jonathan and Jennifer. Chuck and Gail recently celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary.
Chuck’s first employment upon earning his Ph.D. was with the Florida Audubon Society, then located in Maitland, Florida. In 1980, Chuck took a position at the New York Zoological Society (now renamed the Wildlife Conservation Society), located at the Bronx Zoo in New York City. He was the Assistant Director of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s International Conservation Program, where he worked with Dr. George Schaller, who was renown for studying gorillas in Africa and pandas in China.
In 1988, the Wildlife Conservation Society reorganized its supervisory staff as its worldwide programs were expanding. Chuck’s new assignment was to be the Regional Coordinator of the conservation programs in Central America and the Caribbean. To be closer to his area of responsibility, Chuck and Gail moved back to Gainesville. Over the next two decades, Chuck initiated new programs and mentored many young scientists in the field of wildlife conservation.
Chuck retired in 2006 after 26 years of service at the Wildlife Conservation Society. During his retirement, Chuck stayed active in conservation work by serving on the Board of Directors of two organizations, Sea to Shore Alliance and the Sea Turtle Conservancy.
Chuck is survived by his wife Gail, their children Jonathan and Jennifer, his siblings Mimi, Stephen and David, and his beloved granddaughter Carmen.
A celebration of his life and a reception will be held on Monday, February 26, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 106 SW 3rd Street, Gainesville, Florida 32601.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Chuck’s memory to the Sea Turtle Conservancy, 4581 NW 6th Street, Suite A, Gainesville, Florida 32609 or to Haven Hospice, 4200 NW 90th Boulevard, Gainesville, Florida 32606.
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