After losing their home in a devastating fire, a couple finds solace in a gate honoring their late son, Justin Carr.
Altadena: Susan Toler Carr and her husband, Darrell, had to see the damage for themselves. They heard from a neighbor that their home of 25 years had burned down in the recent fires in Los Angeles.
Last Tuesday night, they evacuated to a friend’s place in Toluca Lake. The next day, they managed to get past police roadblocks, driving through a scene of chaos with burning buildings and downed power lines.
When they arrived at their home, it was mostly gone. A part of their Spanish-style house from 1924 was still burning. But the wrought iron gate honoring their son, Justin, who passed away in 2013, was still standing.
Seeing the gate brought back a flood of emotions for the couple. “It felt like losing Justin all over again,” Susan said. “Our home was a shrine to him.”
They had taken some of Justin’s artwork with them when they evacuated, but many family treasures were left behind, including a signed jersey from Susan’s father, the first Black referee in the NFL. It was all destroyed.
“We knew it could happen, but we hoped to be back soon,” Toler Carr said. “You never think it’ll be this bad.”
They lost countless items that represented Justin’s life and creativity. “So much of what he created is gone,” she said, her voice trailing off.
Justin was an only child, a talented artist, athlete, and scholar. He even prayed for world peace at just four years old.
When he died, Darrell was in the hospital after a heart attack. “It was just too much,” he recalled.
On Wednesday, Darrell felt lightheaded when he saw the ruins of their home. It wasn’t just the destruction; it was what the home represented.
“This was Justin’s home,” he said, pausing to wipe away tears. He compared his feelings to a sculpture that depicts deep sadness and emptiness.
Despite the heartbreak, the gate remained intact, with the words “Justin Carr Wants World Peace” and a butterfly design. It symbolizes their nonprofit that honors Justin’s legacy.
“It’s what Justin would have wanted,” Toler Carr said. “He always cared about people. Everyone knew our house by that gate.”
They even found a turquoise butterfly ornament among the ashes, which brought them a bit of joy amidst the devastation.
Before they evacuated, Darrell tried to save their home by spraying water on the roof during fierce winds. “I didn’t want to lose it,” he said, but ultimately, it was lost.
Now, they’re figuring out their next steps and trying to raise money. “It is what it is,” Carr said. “We know how to survive. My father taught me that sometimes you have to do the hard stuff to get through life.”
“The silver lining,” Susan added, “is that we’re still alive. Many others are suffering too.”
