03/08/2026
Jack E. Parr, 86, of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away peacefully on February 21, 2026, after a brief illness. He was born in Mansfield, Ohio, on July 27, 1939, to Andrew Bruce Parr and Ada Arta Keller Parr.
Jack spent his early childhood in West Virginia, where at age six he survived a life-threatening accident that resulted in severe burns to both lower legs. After nearly a year of intensive medical treatment and recovery, he returned to school having missed all of first grade. This experience shaped his life in profound ways. He went on to excel academically and athletically, with particular strengths in science and football.
In 1958, Jack graduated from Tyler County High School as a National Merit Scholar. He attended West Virginia University, majoring in chemistry, and after earning his undergraduate degree in 1962, he moved to Indiana to pursue doctoral studies in organic chemistry at Purdue University. While at Purdue, he met Karen Burrin, the love of his life, and they were married in 1966.
Jack’s greatest passions were his family and his career. He achieved remarkable professional success, earning more than a dozen medical device patents and holding membership in distinguished organizations including the Society For Biomaterials, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He began his career as a researcher at DuPont and later devoted much of his professional life to advancing materials for hip and knee replacements. He served as Vice President of Research at Zimmer in Warsaw, Indiana, and later as Executive Vice President of Research and Development and Chief Scientific Officer at Wright Medical Technology in Memphis, Tennessee, before retiring in 2004.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Jack was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He doted on his wife, Karen, and their three children. Jack and Karen shared a love of travel and enjoyed hosting gatherings for their close circle of friends. He rarely missed his children’s sporting events and concerts and took great joy in spending time with his grandchildren. He also found peace in gardening and working in the yard, cultivating a home life that beautifully balanced his demanding career.
Jack traveled extensively for his work, including trips to Japan, throughout Europe, and across the United States, where he enjoyed fine dining and golfing on spectacular courses. No matter where his career took him, he always loved coming home to his family and never lost his West Virginia roots.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Boyd and Bill; and his beloved wife, Karen. He is survived by his three children: Drew (Lina) Parr, Amy (J.J.) Sinnema, and Suzanne (Eric) Olson, as well as eight cherished grandchildren: Lindy, Sammy, Ben, Ryan, Katie, Meghan, Ginny, and Nick.
A funeral service celebrating Jack’s life will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m., at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 100 W. 86th Street, Indianapolis. Interment will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Waynetown Masonic Cemetery in Waynetown, Indiana, where he will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Jack’s memory to the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation.
