pool legend passes

[brianna187]

1980s Promoter Joe Kerr Passes Away at 63
Jul 8, 2008, 3:28 PM
Joe was not only great promoter but a close friend we stayed in touch over the last 18 years talking on the phone and visiting.I just found this out today so many may also know but i thought i would share this with everyone.

here is short ex cert from billiards digest
Known as a ?player?s promoter,? Kerr was elected to the MPBA board of directors, and served as Executive Director of the player?s association.

?Joe wanted to be a successful promoter,? recalled Billiard Congress of America Hall of Famer Buddy Hall, who played in most of Kerr?s Akron tournaments, ?but he was even more interested in doing right by the players. All of his tournaments were well run and organized. You never heard complaints from the players.?

?He was a great tournament director,? echoed former National Billiard News publisher Conrad Burkman, a longtime friend of Kerr. ?Everything always ran smoothly. And he was promoting one-pocket and bank tournaments before they were fashionable.?

?Joe handed me a lot of checks and trophies,? added Earl Strickland, who won numerous Akron Open and Ohio State titles. ?He was an excellent tournament director. He showed no favoritism, and he was always fair. I?ll miss him.?

Kerr is survived by his parents, Leslie and Theresa Kerr, his daughter, Jodi Noelle Carnathan, a son, Joseph Robert Kerr, and three grandsons.

Memorials may be made in Kerr?s name to the Ohio Chapter of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation, 2907 Lincoln Way E, Unit B, Massillon, OH 44646.

 

[brianna187]

please everyone share your stories about Joe sitting here and cant belive he is gone he was a super guy ill miss him very much..........Lee

 

[Drawman623]

Kerr is missed

Lee, I too feel a sense of loss at Joe's passing. I attended those Akron Opens that Strickland spoke of and Joe was always kind to me. He had Szamboti cues and he wrote many interesting articles including a piece on how to identify a Balabushka cue and an interview with Gus Szamboti himself.

The memories of Joe that stand out in my mind come from those Akron Open events. In the mid 80's he referred to Johnny Archer as "Young John Archer" who was yet to establish himself in world class pool. I watched him issue a forfeit to Gary Spaeth (defending champion) for arriving too late for his match. Joe really was impartial. I remember the purple Corvette with the JOKER plates in front of Dottie Starcher's pool room.

 

[szamboti]

I had the privilege to meet Joe in December 1989. Joe was very well respected by everyone. My Dad liked him so much that he agreed to do an
interview with him. Joe was so nice to me and when I asked him to critique
one of my first cues he did. He was open and honest and helpful to me.

I'm sure that Joe's in Heaven and he is now running tournaments again.

 

[brianna187]

I had the privilege to meet Joe in December 1989. Joe was very well respected by everyone. My Dad liked him so much that he agreed to do an
interview with him. Joe was so nice to me and when I asked him to critique
one of my first cues he did. He was open and honest and helpful to me.

I'm sure that Joe's in Heaven and he is now running tournaments again.

thanks for remembering Joe many forgot Joe when he got sick I never did we spoke very often and I always picked his brain for knowledge and we had some great talks I even tyred to talk Joe into coming to a Glass city open one year offering to pick him up in my motor home and come down he really wanted to but he passed due to his health . I remember asking him one night who his choice would be for the all time best pool player he said Mike Segel his choice surprised me but he knew his business . as i said earlier i just found out this morning I misplaced my book of numbers so I did a google to get his number sadly I found out after opening a post.
my self and a well known cue-maker are kicking the idea of a major tournament in 2009 and I was calling Joe to get his input and guidance
I last talked to Joe in May. Please remember Joe and all he did for this sport
he will be sadly missed................

 

[jay helfert]

I had the privilege to meet Joe in December 1989. Joe was very well respected by everyone. My Dad liked him so much that he agreed to do an
interview with him. Joe was so nice to me and when I asked him to critique
one of my first cues he did. He was open and honest and helpful to me.

I'm sure that Joe's in Heaven and he is now running tournaments again.

You picked the right guy to acknowledge in your first post. Joe was a class act and a damn good TD. Back in the 80's I worked several majors with Joe and it was a pleasure to have him as a partner. To this day, the two best that I learned the most from were Joe and Pat Fleming. Both real pros!

I still have his card that says Joker Promotions. And I treasure it.

 

[brianna187]

You picked the right guy to acknowledge in your first post. Joe was a class act and a damn good TD. Back in the 80's I worked several majors with Joe and it was a pleasure to have him as a partner. To this day, the two best that I learned the most from were Joe and Pat Fleming. Both real pros!

I still have his card that says Joker Promotions. And I treasure it.

pat also is a great guy and from jersey also!!!! like me thanks for sharing that about joe everyone please post anythingg to do with joe id love to see a picture of the business card ......lee

 

[MikeJanis]

Joe "Joker" Kerr, was a dear friend of mine as well as our sport. Joe made a huge contribution to our sport with his professional tournament direction, promotional skills and wonderful personality. he was a pleasure to be around and will be dearly missed by all he who knew him.

Joe Kerr was very dear to me. The 1st time I met him was at the Akron Open in 1991. At that time I was just beginning my career in tournament direction and promotions. At that event I asked Joe a few questions about what I could do to improve my skills. He sat me down next to him and started teaching me right away. He was just that kind of guy that was always willing to help others succeed. After Joe came down with arare form of MS in the early 90's he simply handed his accounts over to me propelling my career as a TD and promoter to what it is today. He called all of the room owners and sponsors he was dealing with and recommended to them that they give me there support since he was no longer able do events any longer. After much time in the hospital Joe had a temporary remission from his illnesses and during that time we worked on several projects together. As soon as Joe was able he directed the very first Viking Tour National Championships in Columbus, Ohio at Cornfed Red's in 1995 as the head TD and Master of Ceremonies. For me, it was a great experience working side by side with my mentor. After that Joe and I along with Bruce Roth of Southern Bowling and Billiards who also had MS set up several annual benefit tournaments for the MS foundation called the Greater Columbus Open.

In 1996 Joe Kerr received the only lifetime honorary membership the Viking Tour has ever issued. Over the years Joe and I stayed in constant contact and he was always willing to help out with whatever he could. I will deeply miss my conversations with Joe and wish I had more time to spend with him.

I wish Joe Godspeed and a blessed afterlife and pity the poor pool players in heaven that try to match up with any of his horses that he will surely be running around up there.


My JOKER collection includes a box a tournament charts all with the JOKER Promotions logo on them. For some reason I can't bring myself to use them. I keep them right next to all the pictures Dottie Starcher gave me before she passed from all the Akron Opens that Joe Kerr directed and promoted along with all the programs from the events.


Mj

 

[alstl]

I didn't know him but it sounds like he was one of the good guys in the sport. My condolences to his friends and family.