Forrest Kinard Carr's Obituary
Forrest Carr, 58, passed away February 3, after a courageous battle with cancer. A Memphis native, Forrest attended Christian Brothers High School and graduated with honors in 1980 from the University of Memphis with a degree in Radio-TV-Film Communications. In college, he developed his love of radio comedy, producing an award-winning campus radio program Take 15. Forrest spent 33 successful years in broadcast news beginning as a radio reporter and television producer at WHBQ-TV, and going on to hold news director/leadership positions at stations in San Antonio, Tampa, Fort Myers, Albuquerque and Tucson. He was a defender of the First Amendment and champion of ethics and transparency in television news, best remembered for crafting “Viewer Advocacy Journalism and The Viewer’s Bill of Rights,” a statement of principles and standards for reporting to which he held every newsroom he commanded. A Poytner Institute Ethics Fellow, he received or shared credit in 90 professional awards, including the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award. He inspired generations of media throughout the country with his leadership and charge “to go forth and commit great journalism.” In 2013, Forrest left TV news to become a novelist authoring four books: Messages, A Journal of the Crazy Year, The Dark and My Lifetime of Weird Coincidences and Strange Happenings. He is also co-author of the college textbook Broadcast News Handbook. In recent years, he hosted a radio talk show on Tucson’s PowerTalk 1210, which he laced with his creative comedy skits. He also enjoyed writing his blog, The Bashful Bloviator, publicly chronicling his battle with cancer and inspiring many with his indomitable spirit. He and wife Deborah Bullington Carr met at WHBQ and cherished more than 30 years of marriage and adventures together. Forrest loved music, including Elvis and the Ventures, science fiction, particularly works by Robert Heinlein, movies, and visiting the ocean and mountains. He is survived by his wife and their two beloved cats, Ellis and Mina, his sister Amy Carr Concannon and family, sister Carol Carr, and many nieces and nephews. He is proceeded in death by parents Frank and Betty Carr. A celebration of Forrest’s life will take place at 2:30 pm, Saturday, February 27 at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5668 Polar Avenue, Memphis. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations in Forrest’s honor be made to Interfaith Community Services, 2820 W. Ina Road, Tucson, 85741 or charity of your choice.
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