Jeffrey Robert Kerr

Jeffrey Robert Kerr age 70, of Chicago passed away on Sunday, October 12, 2025 in Chicago he was born on November 18, 1954 to Cecelia Grace Contorno and Robert James Kerr. After spending his early childhood years growing up near Cleveland, Ohio, Jeff, along with his sister Barbara, relocated to Chicago with their mother. Upon graduating from high school, Jeff enrolled in the U.S. Army. There, he rose to the rank of SP4, Specialist 4th Class, which was the highest junior enlisted rank. Jeff was stationed in Greece for over a year, which, along with his mother’s world-famous Sicilian cooking, reinforced his love for Mediterranean food. He was also awarded the National Defense Service Medal as a Sharpshooter with the M16.  

After Jeff’s honorable discharge, he moved back to Chicago and enrolled at the University of Illinois-Chicago. But it wasn’t long before he found his professional calling as an option trader and futures broker at Jack Carl Associates. Jeff was quoted in this 1983 New York Times article titled, “Commodity Discounters Rise” talking about the rising industry,  

“While the average individual speculator pays us $20 to $25 per round turn, the big brokers have long charged their institutional customers and commercial hedgers the same low rates, but haven't broadcast this fact to their smaller customers and that is why so many small traders have come to us discounters,''  

It was in the industry that Jeff met his first wife, Erin O’Connell.  They had one child, Ryan Jeffrey Kerr, who was born on November 25, 1984. Jeff was a loving and warm father, spoiling his son, spending time with him at baseball games, watching movies, and with family and friends. 

Jeff’s entrepreneurial spirit saw him launch his own company, Kid ID, making ID cards for kids under 18. Jeff later adopted “Ryan’s brother”, Caesar, a blonde chihuahua mix, that he loved very much. He also married again to Becky Miller and later moved back to Chicago, spending his final months with Ryan, Robinson, Jessica, Erin, and Becky. 

It will be hard to forget Jeff's warm heart, sharp intellect, and easy-going personality. He is survived by his son, Ryan, and grandson,Robinson. 

Friends may gather at the Seguin & Symonds Funeral Home, 858 Sheridan Road, Highwood on Friday, October 24, 2025 at 12:30 P.M. for a funeral procession to Fort Sheridan National Cemetery in Highwood  for Military Honors at 1:00 PM.

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