Ellen Lockyer, KSKA – Anchorage
The founder of Alaska’s Carr’s supermarket chain died Thursday in Anchorage. Laurence Carr passed away at age 81.
Carr arrived in Alaska in 1947, and in three years had opened the first of his grocery stores. 40 years later he had a chain of 13 stores. He merged his company with that of real estate developer Barney Gottstein to create the largest wholesale – retail and real estate organization in the state. In 1990, the Carr’s Quality Centers were sold, although Larry Carr continued to work in real estate with Carr -Gottstein Properties.
Carr was once a candidate for governor, and received Alaskan of the Year honors in 1984. He was active in community service and in 1992 he was honored with a University of Alaska Anchorage Doctor of Laws degree. Carr also served on the board of directors of Alaska Pacific University, and started and chaired the APU Endowment.
APU president Dr. Don Bantz says Carr’s work was invaluable to the small university, and the endowment provides scholarships and discounts to university students.
Carr is survived by his wife Wilma, son Gregory and daughter Jacqueline and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
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