RICHMOND, Texas – Lt. Col. Alfred “Al” Edwin Tarr of Richmond, Texas, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, at the age of 87.

He was born on Oct. 21, 1935, in Gardiner, Maine to Henry and Rachel Tarr of Richmond Corner.

Al met his wife, Norene White in the 8th grade in Richmond and they have been together ever since, celebrating their 66th wedding anniversary at the end of October 2022. Al graduated from Richmond High School, in Richmond, Maine in 1954, lettering in three sports, and then attended Colby College on a baseball scholarship.

He joined the Air Force ROTC program to follow his dream to fly, graduating in 1958 with a degree in Geology, membership in the Zeta Psi fraternity and a Commission in the United States Air Force.

Al served in the Air Force for 21 years, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He completed two tours in Vietnam on B-52s, where he was awarded The Distinguished Flying Cross, eight Air Medals and subsequently chosen as a flight instructor for FB-111A program. Al was selected to attend the Air War College, graduating with high honors before taking command a FB-111A Squadron in Plattsburgh N.Y., the first Navigator in SAC to assume command of a Combat Ready Squadron. His squadron was part of the team that won the Fairchild trophy for being the best bomb squadron in SAC the following year. Al was awarded two Meritorious Service Medals, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Combat Readiness Medal. After Plattsburgh, N.Y., he took a command position in Eskişehir Turkey as base commander. He returned to Pease AFB after his assignment in Turkey was complete where he worked in intelligence until he retired.

Al’s pride and joy was his wife and family of four children, eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Al was an avid woodworker and jeweler/gemologist, completing multiple certifications at the Gemological Institute of America. He loved gardening and sharing his harvest with the neighbors.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Norene Frances (White) Tarr of Richmond, Texas; his son, Mitchell A. Tarr (Jamie), Roseville Calif., his daughters JoLynne McQuillan (Bob), Lauren Emery (Jim) and Kristen Barber (Chuck), all of Richmond, Texas; his grandchildren Sarah, Kaitlyn, Matthew, Danny, Jenna, Mandy, Hailey, and Blake; and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister, Fayalene Tarr.

Interment will be at Litchfield Plains Cemetery, in Litchfield on Saturday, May 13 at 12 p.m.

Copy the Story Link