2024 Outstanding Alumnus Award Winner
Dr. Gerald “Jerry” Karr grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee, and received his undergraduate education at East Tennessee State University, where he earned a B.S. in Biology in 1970.
He received his D.D.S. degree from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in 1974 and his M.S. in Orthodontics in 1976. Following his orthodontic residency, he entered the U.S. Air Force, where he served as orthodontist to three air bases in Germany. Upon returning to civilian life, Dr. Karr entered private practice in Clarksville, Tennessee, where he practiced until his retirement in 2018.
Although primarily a clinician, Dr. Karr has been very active in professional organizations and volunteer dental missions. As a member of the ADA and the TDA for fifty years, he has served in numerous positions. His service at the TDA included positions as trustee of the TDA Board, editor of the Journal of the TDA, vice president, and six consecutive years as speaker of the House of Delegates.
He is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, a fellow of the American College of Dentists, a fellow of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, and a fellow of the International College of Dentists. As an ICD fellow, Dr. Karr has held the offices of vice regent, regent, vice president, and in 2021 he was elected president of the USA Section of the ICD. He still serves the lCD as a trustee of the USA Section Foundation, where he is currently chair of the Fundraising Committee.
Dr. Karr is a recipient of the Tennessee Dental Association Fellowship Award and the Tennessee AGD Humanitarian Award. The ICD has also recognized him with a Presidential Citation, the Regents Award, and the Past President’s Award.
For over twenty years, Dr. Karr and his wife have served on mission trips to Honduras, Brazil, Ghana West Africa, China, Romania, and India. He has served as Chairman of the Board of Good Samaritan Clinic, an NPO serving the poor of Clarksville, Tennessee, and surrounding counties.
Being grateful for all the opportunities his education has offered, Dr. Karr and his wife have endowed four collegiate scholarships, including two for students at the UTHSC College of Dentistry.
Dr. Karr states that his faith and his family are the most important part of his life. He is devoted to his church, where he is a charter member and serves as an elder. Sandra has been his devoted wife for over fifty-five years. They have three children and seven grandchildren.
