James was born on September 14, 1955, in Grinnell, Iowa to Francis and Ardith Byers Kerr Sr. He was raised in Grinnell and was a member of the Grinnell High School Class of 1973. He worked for the HyVee Food Store during his high school years. On February 3, 1975, he entered the United States Army and served until October of 1976. On July 18, 1975, he was married to Marianne Wheeler in Grinnell. The couple lived in various central Iowa cities. He was a truck driver for many years. He enjoyed music, playing his guitar and writing music. His family was very important to him and he enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. Survivors include his children, Cory Kerr and Tina Myers, both of Cedar Rapids; three grandchildren, Terence Dudley, Blaise Wiley and Grace Myers; three brothers, Francis Kerr Jr. of Grinnell, Ron Kerr of Brooklyn and Brian Kerr of St. Louis, MO; and five sisters, Judy Meythaler of Montezuma, Linda Kerr of Grinnell, Eileen Kerr of Des Moines, Teresa Stockdale of Grinnell and Rhonda Foster of Altoona. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Garry and Steve Kerr; one grandson, Smoke Griffith; one brother-in-law, Mitchell Stockdale; and his niece, Samantha Bell. Memorials may be directed to the James Kerr Memorial Fund.