Charles Richard Tarr

Dr. Charles R. Tarr passed on the morning of November 13, 2018 in the presence of his loving family in Vancouver, Washington. Charles Tarr was born to William H. Tarr and Jean Tarr in 1932 in Fullerton, Kentucky. He was one of five children--his last remaining sibling passing less than 30 days prior to Charles. He was married for sixty-seven years to the love of his life, Betty who still resides in their home. Charles and Betty's family consists of four daughters: Barbara Nelson (Ron, spouse), Beverly Pahlisch (Dennis, spouse), Bethany Jackson (Allyn, spouse), and Bobi Swan (Todd, spouse). Charles and Betty have nine grandchildren: Joshua Shook (Rhiannon, spouse), Jeremy Shook (Julie, spouse), Joshua Pahlisch (Jonna, spouse), Daniel Pahlisch (Rebekah, spouse), Phillip Pahlisch, Rebekah Routson (Chris, spouse), Nathan Brooks (Percillia, spouse), David Swan and Taylor Swan. Charles and Betty have also been blessed with seventeen great-grandchildren. At age fourteen, Charles responded to an invitation to receive Jesus Christ and from that day forward, passionately lived his life's purpose in what was his greatest heritage and calling -- that of being a first-generation Christian and servant leader to his beloved family. Charles was not just a minister, he was a pastor with a tender heart. He began preaching in Petersville, Kentucky in 1950 at age seventeen while attending McKell High School where he graduated as Valedictorian. He met his wife Betty, at a cottage prayer meeting in Vanceburg, Kentucky when they were teenagers. She captured his heart and they were married several years later. Charles always said Betty was forever his "sweetie". After their marriage, Charles and Betty moved to Hope, Kentucky where he accepted his first full-time Senior Pastor position in 1953. Simultaneously, he completed his undergraduate degree and seminary education, graduating Summa Cum Laude. On May 4, 1991, Charles received an honorary doctorate from Warner Southern in Lake Wales, Florida. He served faithfully as a board member for Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana for thirteen years. He was a cherished minister in the Church of God and served as Senior Pastor for churches in Kentucky, Indiana, Texas, Ohio, Oregon and Florida. While most ministers take a sabbatical during their lifetime, he never felt led to do so, rather he pressed in deeper to what God was calling him to do. God gifted Charles with passion and charisma; consequently, his ministry was marked by evangelism, church growth and compassionate pastoral care. From 1970 to 1975 he served as Director of Witness Evangelism for the Board of Church Extension and Home Missions in Anderson, Indiana. Before going to this national post, he served as Senior Pastor of the South Meridian Church of God in Anderson, Indiana. It was here and under his leadership that the Anderson Revival began in early 1970. News of this unique awakening was carried in such newspapers as the Chicago Tribune, the Indianapolis Star, Anderson Herald, The Indianapolis News, and several national periodicals including Christianity Today. It also appears in a book edited by Dr. Robert Coleman of Asbury Seminary entitled One Divine Moment. Charles authored several books, A New Wind Blowing, Effective Witness and Prayer- An Enjoyable Experience--one of nine books in the Bridges to Discipleship series, all published by Warner Press. He contributed articles to Vital Christianity, Colloquium, and Missions Magazine. His love of writing lead him to being a contributing editor to Vital Christianity. Eager to deepen his knowledge, he became a member of the Wesleyan Theological Society. He was one of four Church of God delegates from the US who attended the International Congress on World Evangelization in Lausanne, Switzerland. As an evangelist, he served in Grand Cayman, BVI, Alaska, Israel and Europe. He preached throughout the nation at state camp meetings, conventions, and was also a frequent radio and television speaker. Charles was an avid golfer for most of his life. When he was no longer physically able to play the sport he so loved, he actively engaged in the tournaments on TV and would study all there was to know about the players. He also enjoyed the Blazers, the Indianapolis Colts, and as a courtesy to his son-in-law, the Packers. Charles also loved cars and would freely offer his advice to any family member seeking to purchase one. His grandsons were amazed at his depth of knowledge of antique cars. He was a voracious reader and had a profound interest in history. He would be known to re-read books such as War and Peace, Team of Rivals, Things that Matter and many other works about great men and women of history. Studying different concordances far past his retirement, he desired to glean new concepts of what God might be teaching him at the moment. Charles modeled unconditional love for his family, love for Jesus, and was unfailingly committed to sharing his love for Jesus with everyone around him, until the very end. One of his greatest legacies, which will always be remembered by his family, is that of prayer covering for every member of the family. Each evening at bedtime, after reading the Bible, he and Betty would spend time praying for their family members by name and any situation that might need the hand of God upon it. His four daughters had witnessed this throughout their lives. In their parents' younger years they would see them kneeling at their bedside. As they grew older and their bodies less mobile, the prayers were just as fervent and passionate. He carried the burdens of his family and hundreds of others throughout his lifetime to the throne of God His mark on this world is left upon his children and grandchildren, and also most recently on those who served and cared for him. Doctors and caregivers alike spoke of his kindness, his humor, his smile and his concern for them even as he was in his final days of life. Dr. Charles R. Tarr; the husband, father, grandfather and minister will be remembered in the many lives he touched. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations be made "In memory of Dr. Charles Tarr" to the following: AU Student Fund Office of the President Anderson University 1100 E. 5th Street Anderson, IN 46012-9989

Charles Richard Tarr

February 28, 1932 - November 13, 2018