Chattanooga
Fire and Police Department
Obituaries
This page is dedicated to memory of members of the Chattanooga Fire and Police Departments. It was made possible through the efforts of Robert A. Tanner, Jr. and June Tanner Cooper.
Richard C. Alexander
Officer Richard Alexander dies; service Tuesday at 11
Richard
C. Alexander died Thursday, Oct. 5, 2000, in a local hospital.
Mr. Alexander was a
Mr. Alexander was preceded in death by his parents, Lon Ed Mitchell and
Minnie Mitchell; daughter, Angela Alexander; and brother-in-law, Greg Jones.
Survivors include his wife, Joyce Alexander; daughter, Yolanda Alexander,
both of Chattanooga; brothers, Oliver Baker, Memphis, and Michael Mitchell,
Greenville, S.C.; sisters, Yvonne Mitchell, Patricia Russell, Mildred Brown,
Melinda Davidson and Priscilla, all of Chattanooga.
Services will be Tuesday at
Burial will be in the
The body will lie in state on Monday afternoon at the Taylor Funeral
Home,
Atchley, Earl Eugene Sr.
Retired From Chattanooga Fire Department After 40 Years
Earl Eugene
Atchley, Sr. 79, of Chattanooga, died on Friday, August 21, 2009 in a local
hospital.
Mr. Atchley was born in Bradley County but, had lived in Chattanooga most of his
life. He held memberships in The Antique Motorcycle Club, the Antique License
Club and the Georgia Races Hall of Fame.
He was retired from the City of Chattanooga Fire Department with 40 years of
service. Mr. Atchley was a veteran of the Korean Conflict serving in the U.S.
Army.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Viola Hicks Atchley and a
brother, Carl Atchley.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Bobbie Huskey Atchley, son, Gene (Peggy)
Atchley, Ft. Oglethorpe; daughter, Viola (Randy) Williamson, Maryville; three
brothers, Joe (Lessie) Atchley, Trenton; J.C. (Marie) Atchley, Ider, Al.; Tommy
Ray Atchley, Indianapolis, In.; sister, Peggy Mason, Trenton; three
grandchildren, Tony Williamson, Katrina Gaddis, both of Maryville; PFC Darrell
Williamson, Ft. Stewart, Ga.; three great-grandchildren, Austin, Alex and
Anabeth Williamson, all of Maryville; several nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 23, in the funeral home chapel.
Interment will be in Dietz Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Forgotten Child Fund.
Visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort to the family.
The family will receive friends from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22, at
Heritage Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.
Posted August 21, 2009, Chattanoogan.com
Nathan
Baubach
Nathan
G. Baubach, Sr. of
Graveside
services were today at
Memorial
contributions may be made to North Cleveland Church of God Benevolence Ministry,
Arrangements
by Heritage Funeral Home,
Harry
Bible
Harry Powers Bible died Wednesday, May 19, 1999, in a local hospital.
He was 91.
Mr. Bible was a member of
He retired from the Chattanooga Police Department and was a member of the
Fraternal Order of Police and the Chattanooga Half Century Club.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Lucy Bible.
Survivors include a daughter, Martha Mitteness,
A graveside service will be Friday at
Veron Ray Britton
Vernon Ray Britton, 67, of
Chattanooga, died on Friday, May 26, 2006. He was of the Baptist faith and a
retired Chattanooga police officer. He was
preceded in death by his wife, Blanche Britton; father, Virgil Britton; sisters,
Gloria Brogdon and Joan Patterson. He is survived by his mother, Fannie "Pat"
Britton, Trenton, GA; sons, Michael Britton, Douglasville, GA, Donnie Britton,
Miami, FL, and Dennis Rockwood, Chattanooga; daughters, Janet Prosser,
Douglasville, Elaine Kadrie and Sandie Baxter, both of Chattanooga; sister,
Linda Thompson, Marietta, GA; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and
several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday in
the Dodds Avenue Chapel of Turner Funeral Homes with Rev. John Smith
officiating. Burial will follow at Lakewood Memory Gardens, South. Visitation
will be held from 4-8 p.m. Saturday, in the funeral home. Arrangements are by
Turner Funeral Home, Dodds Avenue Chapel, (423) 622-3171.
Chattanoogan.com
Posted May 27, 2006
John
Smith Boles, 89, Dies; Was
John
Smith Boles, who retired as a lieutenant after 27 years with the Chattanooga
Fire Department, died Thursday, July 1, 1999, at a local hospital.
He was 89.
Mr.
Boles, who lived in Apison, was a lifelong resident of the
He
was a member of
He
was preceded in death by his first wife, Cathleen Shofner Boles; his second
wife, Thelma Ingram Boles; a son John Larry Boles; a sister, Luecile Allen; and
a granddaughter, Tina Chastain.
Survivors
include a daughter, Barbara Payne; son, David b. Boles; sister, Bessie Norman,
all of
The
funeral will be Saturday at
Burial
will be in
The
family received friends at the funeral home.
Jeff Bowman - Chattanooga Firefighter Was Professional Boxer
Jeff Bowman, age 42, of East Ridge,
died at his residence March 11, 2006.
He was a member of Brainerd Baptist
Church and a firefighter with the City of Chattanooga for the last 10 years.
Jeff was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and a professional boxer. Jeff was a loving
father and husband.
He was preceded in death by his
mother, Jane Ann Bowman, and brother, Don Bowman.
He is survived by his wife, Debbie
Bowman; father, Don Bowman of Chattanooga; sons, Jeffery and Jackson Bowman;
brother, Don Bowman III of Chattanooga; sisters, Sandy McKenzie and Diane
Gilbert, both of Chattanooga; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be held
Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Brainerd Baptist Church, with Rev. Darryl Craft
officiating. Interment will follow at the Chattanooga National Cemetery with
full military honors. Pallbearers will be LeBron Clark, Bart Eaton, Lamar Long,
Ken Adair, Rick Holcomb, Tony Stillwell, Steve Gaston, and Steve Wilson.
Condolences may be sent at
www.heritagefh.com
The family will receive friends
Tuesday from 1- 9 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home and Crematory 7454 E. Brainerd
Rd.
Chattanoogan.com; Posted March 12, 2006
Campbell, Ernest G., Jr.
Retired Assistant Chief Of
Chattanooga Police
Ernest G. Campbell Jr., 69, of Chattanooga, died on Monday, Dec. 18, 2006, at
his residence.
A lifelong resident of Chattanooga, he was the son of the late Ernest G.
Campbell Sr. and Edith Plumlee Campbell. He was a graduate of Cleveland State
Community College and was retired from the Chattanooga Police Department as
assistant chief of police.
Mr. Campbell was a past member of the Lakeside Optimist Club and St. A n d rews
United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Laura Dutton Campbell; son and daughter-in-law, Guy
and Tina Campbell, of Ooltewah; daughter and son-in-law, Audry and Jerry Ensley,
of East Ridge; grandchildren, Amy Ensley, Aly Ensley, Quade Campbell and Garrett
Campbell; great-grandson, Jace Anderson; and two sisters, Patricia Greene, of
Lookout Mountain, Tn., and Pamela Whitfield, of East Ridge.
Funeral services will be held Thursday at 2:30 p.m. in the funeral home chapel
with the Rev. Billy Dean officiating. Interment will follow in Chattanooga
Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 5-8 p.m. Wednesday and again
Thursday from noon to service time at the funeral home.
Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory &
Florist, 404 S. Moore Road, Chattanooga, TN 37412.
Roy
Lee Carlton
Roy Lee Carlton died Monday, July 19, 1999, in a local hospital. He was 70
He was a member of
Survivors include his sister, Dorothy Smith, Chicago; two nieces, Stephanie Smith and Jessica Jackson; and two nephews, Cedrick K. Smith and Earl Smith.
The funeral will be Friday at 10:30 a.m. at the Avondale Chapel of Franklin Strickland Funeral Home.
Burial will be in
Cliff
Carroll
John C. “Cliff” Carroll, 79, of
Cliff was a 1941 graduate of
He was a member of Red Bank Presbyterian Church and the Covenant Sunday
School Class. Cliff was a member of
St. Elmo Post #148 of the American Legion and the St. Elmo East Ridge Masonic
Lodge #755 F&AM.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Frances McCarthy Carroll;
daughter, Jane O’Dell and her husband, John, of
The family received friends at a Praise Service celebrating his life at
Red Bank Presbyterian Church, 4320 Dayton Blvd, on Monday, Dec. 8th
at 7:30 p.m. with the Rev. Everett Gossett officiating.
Interment was at
Arrangements were by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.
James
Case
James
N. “Jim” Case died Wednesday, Jan. 27, 1999.
He was 69.
He
was a member of St. Elmo United Methodist Church, St. Elmo, Lodge 773 F&AM
and Firefighters Local 820.
Mr.
Case was a retired lieutenant from the Chattanooga Fire Department after 28
years and a veteran of the National Guard.
Survivors
include his wife, Betty Drinnon Case; two sons, Wayne Case,
Services
will be Saturday at
Burial
will be in
The
family received friends at the funeral home.
Jesse David Cliett III
Jesse David Cliett
III died on Sunday, October 11, 2009, at Erlanger Hospital after a valiant
battle against pulmonary fibrosis.
David was born August 9, 1951 to the late J.D. Jr. and Jessie Mae Woods Cliett.
David was a member of the 1969 graduating class of Brainerd High School. He
proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy and completed two tours of duty in
Vietnam.
David retired from the Chattanooga Police Department with 25 years of service.
During that time he held positions of Patrol Officer, Detective and Patrol
Supervisor.
David had also obtained his contractor's license and built many homes in the
Hamilton County area over the years.
David was a Christian and a member of Brainerd Baptist Church.
His devoted wife Julia brought great joy to his life and was a loving,
compassionate caregiver whose sole concern was his comfort.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a sister, Nancy Cliett of
Chattanooga; stepdaughter, Khesia Setiawan; numerous cousins and friends, and
his faithful companions, his Jack Russells "Spike" and "Jack".
Visitation will be from 2-5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at Heritage Funeral Home
on East Brainerd Road, with a celebration of life to follow at 5 p.m. in the
funeral home chapel. Officiating will be Pastor Bob Patty.
Honorary pallbearers will be Harry Woods, Ken Erb, Eddie Sanders, Rob Terry,
Lance Woods, David French, Mike Wood, Doug Gray, John Thatcher and Jack Casteel.
Donations in David's memory can be made to further the research into Pulmonary
Fibrosis by the following: Payable to: Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Stub must reference: Dr. Loyd, IPF Research Fund, 4-04-383-9262. Mail to:
Richard Steinhart, Administrative Officer for Research, Vanderbilt University
School of Medicine, 1161 21st Avenue South, T-1218 MCN, Nashville, Tn.
37232-2650.
Visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort to the family and view the
memorial tribute.
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 7454 E.
Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421.
Posted October 12, 2009 Chattanoogan.com
Tom
Cooper
Thomas F. Cooper, 79, passed away Thursday, March 17, 2005 at his home.
Mr. Cooper, also known as “Captain Bull,” was a native of
He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Hallie Bell Cooper.
He is survived by his wife, June Cooper; son Richard (Allison) Cooper;
daughters, Connie (Hank) Cofrancesco, Cyndi (Andy) Hall; grandchildren, Jenny
and Shelley Cooper, Trey and Canon Cofrancesco, Tanner and Aidan Hall; a sister
Mary Brooks, all of Chattanooga; brothers, retired Col. Dewey G. Cooper, USAF,
Tavares, Fla., and Richard T. Cooper, Casselberry, Fla; and several nieces and
nephews.
Memorial services will be conducted at
The family will receive friends from
Troy E. Cranfield Dies;
Troy Eugene Cranfield, a 25-year veteran of the Chattanooga Police Department, died Monday, April 29, 1996, in a local hospital. He was 64.
Mr. Cranfield was a lifelong Chattanoogan, a Baptist, a Mason and a member of the Fraternal Order of Police and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
He was a son of the late Dale Earnest and Annie Mae Pierce Cranfield.
Survivors include his son, Earl E. Cranfield;
A graveside service will be Thursday at 1 p.m. in
James Marshall "Pete" Davis - Longtime
Police Officer With Chattanooga PD
James Marshall
"Pete" Davis, 84, of Chattanooga died on Thursday, March 2, 2006, at home,
losing a battle to cancer.
A wonderful, devoted husband, father
and grandfather, he will be greatly missed by his family and friends, and long
remembered for his kindness, humor,
selflessness, determination and courage.
Born September 29, 1921, in Marshall
County, Alabama, he moved at age six with his parents, by horse and wagon, to
Tyner, TN. When the age was lowered for draftees into World War II, he joined
and served in the U.S. Army from June 30, 1942 until November 19, 1945, touring
in European, African, and Middle Eastern Theaters, Rome-Arno, Rhineland and
Central European Campaign.
After returning from World War II, he
lived in Chattanooga and worked at Western Union until August 10, 1948, when he
joined the Chattanooga Police Department under Commissioner Roy Hyatt. Working
his way up the ranks as Patrolman, Detective, Lieutenant, Captain and Assistant
Chief in street patrol, racket squad, narcotics and homicide divisions and major
crimes department, retirement came in 1983 with 35 ½ years of service.
Pete was of the Baptist faith and was
a member of VFW Post 1289, Masonic Lodge #558 F&AM, the York and Scottish Rite,
Alhambra Shrine Temple, Fraternal Order of Police, Tennessee Law Enforcement
Officers Association, and Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police.
He was preceded in death by his
parents, Jim and Mollie Ford Davis, five brothers and five sisters.
He is survived by his loving wife of
59 years, Imogene Holder Davis; daughter and son-in-law, Marsha and Doug Goodman
of Decherd, TN; grandson, Pete Tramel of Smithville, TN; great-grandson, Sorrel,
many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A graveside service with military
honors will be held 11:00 a.m. on Monday, at Chattanooga National Cemetery with
the Rev. Al Miller officiating. His nephews will serve as pallbearers. Honorary
pallbearers will be retired and active members of Chattanooga Police Department.
The family will receive friends from
2-6 p.m. on Sunday with a masonic service at 6 p.m. at the East Brainerd Chapel,
8214 East Brainerd Road.
In lieu of flowers, memorial
contributions may be made to Caldsted Foundation, Inc. 3701 Cherryton Drive,
Chattanooga, TN 37411, or Hospice of Chattanooga, 4355 Highway 58, Chattanooga,
TN 37416.
Chattanoogan.com; Posted March 3,2006
M.
J. ‘Sonny’ Day Dies; Fire Marshal, Pastor
Marvin Jene “Sonny” Day, fire marshal with the Chattanooga Fire Department and pastor of the 34th Street Baptist Tabernacle, died Sunday, April 7, 1996, in a local hospital.
Mr. Day was teacher of the Young Adults Sunday school class at his church and a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Fire Fighters Local 820 and the Fraternal Order of Fire Fighters Lodge 1.
He also was a member of East Lake Lodge 698 F&AM, Mount Moriah
Council 95, John Bailey Nicklin Chapter 49, Lookout Commandery 14 and the
He was a son of the late William E. and Lizzie Lee Houston Day.
Survivors include his wife, Bonnie L. Day; son, Lt. Rodney D. Day,
The funeral will be Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at Chattanooga Funeral Home, East, with the Rev. Royce Powell, the Rev. Ralph Elder and the Rev. Samuel Blakemore officiating.
James
Dill Sr.
James
Harold Dill Sr. died Sunday, Aug. 23, 1998, in a local hospital.
He was 64.
He
was a member of the
He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served in the Korean War.
He was also a longtime employee of the Chattanooga Fire Department and
was a member of the VFW Post 4848.
Survivors include his wife, Betty Williams Dill; three sons, James Dill
Jr., Ken and John Robert Dill, all of Chattanooga; a daughter, Kathy Martin,
Cleveland; his mother, Essie Snyder, Chattanooga; two sisters, Shirley Scott and
Virginia Plott, both of Chattanooga; several grandchildren.
Services will be held Wednesday at
Burial will be in
The family received friends at the South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral
Home.
Samuel
Hartrell Dover
Bob Dover Dies; Police Officer Was FOP Leader
Samuel Hartrell “Bob” Dover, a decorated World War II veteran and a leader in the Fraternal Order of Police, died Saturday, Dec. 28, 1996 at his home. He was 75
The lifelong resident of
He received numerous decorations for his military service, including the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts medals.
During his service, he attended
After the war and before moving back to
He returned to
He was named “Policeman of the Year” in 1968 by the Fraternal Order of Police, Rock City Lodge. He served as the president of the local F.O.P. in 197o-71 and as treasurer of the National F.O.P. in 1972...
Mr. Dover was instrumental in starting an F.O.P. sponsored camp for
underprivileged children at
He retired from the police department in 1973 after 25 years of service.
Mr. Dover then took a position as sales representative for the Atlanta-based Momar Inc., where he worked for 23 years.
He was a member of
Survivors include his wire, Sue Warren Dover; a son Randall Dover of Franklin, Tenn.; two daughters, Gayle Calabrese of Athens, Ga., and Tonya Greene of Chattanooga; a sister, Sara Lee Dickens, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga.’ And eight grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at
Burial will follow in
Harry Duggan
Harry
Duggan, retired Sergeant of the Chattanooga Police Department, died on
Wednesday, May 2, 2007, at his home.
He was a lifelong resident of Chattanooga and a member of the 34th Street
Baptist Church. A mason, Harry was a member of the East Lake Masonic Lodge for
over 20 years. He served his community as a police officer for 28 years, a
fireman for two years and also worked for General Sessions Court for seven
years.
Harry was a very loving and kind man and caring provider.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years who he adored and called “His Baby,"
Margie Duggan; daughter, Teresa Duggan; sister, Louise Vandergriff; devoted and
loving nephew, Butch Picklesimer; several nieces and nephews, and many many good
friends.
Services will be held Friday at 4 p.m. in the South Crest Chapel with Rev. Billy
Dean and Rev. Johnny Haynes officiating. Burial will follow at Lakewood South
Memory Gardens with Masonic Rites. Officers of the Chattanooga Police Department
will be serving as pallbearers.
Condolences may be sent to www.lane-southcrestchapel.com.
Visitation is Friday from 12 p.m. until the funeral hour at the South Crest
Chapel of Lane Funeral Home and Crematory.
Posted May 7, 2007 Chattanoogan.com
Robert
Elsea
Robert A. Elsea, 64, of
He was of the Baptist faith and a member of
Mr. Elsea was preceded in death by his father and mother and one brother, Clyde Elsea.
He is survived by his wife, Rebecca Elsea of Hixson; two daughters,
Teresa Funk of Rend Bank and Kathy Ayers of Chattanooga; one brother, Donald
Elsea of
Funeral services will be Monday at 1:30 p.m. in the chapel, with Rev. Gary Shirley officiating.
Burial will follow at
Dewayne
Ethridge
Dewayne Ethridge, 62, of
He was a retired police officer with the city of
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Edna Ethridge; son, Darren
Dewayne Ethridge; daughter, Stacie Ethridge Martin, and her husband, Lee;
brother, Frank Ethridge of Mobile, Ala.; and sister, Mary Walker of Fort Payne,
ala.
The funeral will be Sunday, March 16, 2003, at
Interment will follow in
The deacons of
The family will receive friends for visitation today from
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.
Finney, Larry Allen
Retired Captain With Chattanooga Police Department
Larry Allen Finney, 64, of Georgetown, died on Tuesday, May 18, 2010, at his
residence.
He was a retired captain from the Chattanooga Police Department, and was a
member of New Shepherd Hill Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Finney and Norma Savannah
Finney.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce Finney; son, Michael Finney; daughter, Mary
Finney; Jerry Finney; sisters, Gail Finney and Deborah Finney; two grandchildren
and several nieces and nephews.
A private family service will be held.
Arrangements are by J. Avery Bryan Funeral Home, 1914 McCallie Ave., 423
266-2131
Chattanoogan.com
Ollie
C. Fitts, 91, Dies; Police, Juvenile Officer
Captain. Ollie C. Fitts, who retired from the Chattanooga Police Department and was the first juvenile officer in the city, died Tuesday, Nov. 18, 1997, at his home. He was 91.
He also was the first outside sergeant in the city.
He was an Army veteran of World War II and a member of
He was the widower of Harriett Dillards Fitts.
Survivors include two brothers, E. Grant Fitts, Dallas, and Grover Fitts
of Riceville,
The funeral will be Friday at 11:30 a.m. at Chattanooga Funeral Home, West, with the Rev. Richard Mason officiating.
Burial will be in
Larry
Gaines
Larry Gaines died Thursday, May 30, 1996, in a local hospital. He was 69.
A longtime resident of Chattanooga, he was a member of the East Chattanooga Baptist Church, a retired police inspector with the Chattanooga Police Department after 25 years, and a veteran of World War II.
Survivors include his wife, Toby Gaines; two sons, Jim and Mitch Gaines,
both of
Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Highway 58 Chapel of Turner Funeral Home with the Rev. Tom Sparrow officiating.
A private burial will be held in the
James
Gentry
James E. “Jim” Gentry, 78, of Soddy-Daisy died Monday, May 28, 2001 at his home.
Mr. Gentry was a Baptist and was retired lieutenant of the Chattanooga Police Department, having served 35 years. He also was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and was preceded in death by his parents, George S. and Delphia Gothard Gentry.
Survivors include his wife, Jane Gentry; daughter, Glenda Bonine,
Funeral services will be 12:30 p.m. at Williamson and Sons Funeral Home with Rev. Joe Miller officiating.
Interment will be in
Jesse
Grant, Jr.
The Life Reflections of Mr. Jesse Gant Jr.
Jesse Gant, Jr. was born on January 7, 1940 in
Jesse was a veteran of the United States Army. He was a veteran with the Chattanooga Police Department with 29 years. He retired as Sergeant in 1991. He was married to Mildred Hudson Gant for 40 years.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, Jesse Gant III and James Gant; one daughter, Chasa Hayes; three grandchildren, Jesse Gant IV, Petera Gant, and Theresa Turner; one great-grandchild, Asley Sanderfer; two sisters-in-law, Mable Gray and Frances Hudson; many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and co-workers.
A graveside service was Monday May 24, 2004, at 11:00 a.m.
H. Dean Gross
Mr. H. Dean Gross, 71, died on
May 20, 2010.
He was a member of City Church. He was ordained as a minister in 1971 and also
served as an Industrial Chaplain in private industry.
He was one of the first four K-9 handlers for the city of Chattanooga. He was
eventually made Sergeant in charge of training and administration until 1971.
He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Ruth Sylvester Gross, daughter, Valerie
Nico, grandson, Logan Nico, granddaughter, Alexandra Nico, sister, Mrs. Dianne (W.C.)
Daniels of Tampa, Fl., and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, May 24, at Heritage Funeral
Home Chapel, with Rev. William Colter officiating. Interment will follow in the
Chattanooga National Cemetery.
Visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort to the family and view the
memorial tribute.
The family will receive friends from 2 - 4 and 6 - 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 23, at
Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421.
Chattanoogan.com posted May 20, 2010
Arthur Steven Garrison
Retired Chattanooga Police Officer
Arthur Steven Garrison, 49, of Chattanooga, died on Saturday, July 8, 2006.
He was preceded in death by his father, Babe Ruth Garrison.
Steve retired from the Chattanooga City Police Department in 2003 after 19 years
of service. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police and a member of
Temple Baptist Church in Chattanooga.
He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Mae and Bob Smith, of Rossville;
sons, Steven Kyle Garrison and Jackson Holland Garrison, both of Chattanooga;
brother, Jackie Garrison, of Alpine, WY; sister and brother-in-law, Teresa and
Robin Bush, of Jackson, TN; stepsister, India Strang, of Ruston, LA; nieces, Amy
Armstrong and Adrienne Bush; and nephew, Kelly Garrison.
Services will be at noon on Thursday, in the chapel with the Rev. Ken Trivette,
the Rev. Tony Bennett and Dr. Max Helton officiating Interment will follow in
Tennessee-Georgia Memorial Park in Rossville.
Pallbearers are Kenny Hicks, David Haddock, Jerry Haddock, Ryan Bennett, Homer
Tittle and Earl Shipley. Honorary pallbearers are law enforcement agenciess
across the tri-state area.
Visitation will begin after 4 p.m. Tuesday and all day Wednesday at the funeral
home.
Online guest book is at www.wilsonfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are by W.L. Wilson & Sons Funeral Home, Fort Oglethorpe.
Chattanoogan.com Posted July 11, 2006
Lewis
Norton Guinn Sr.
Lewis Norton Guinn Sr., 68, of Ooltewah passed away Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2002.
He was a saved Christian. He
was born in
Mr. Guinn attended
He was preceded in death by his father, Lewis L. Guinn, and a sister, Dorothy McNulty.
Survivors include his wife Wilma W. Guinn; one son Lewis Norton Guinn Jr., Chattanooga; and one daughter, Susan Noreen Guinn, Chattanooga; two grandchildren, Magun Guinn, Chattanooga, and Brandon Guinn, Jasper, Tenn.; mother, Dorothy Elizabeth Guinn, Red Bank; one sister, Margaret Ann Bryant, Red Bank; one brother Leion Guinn, Ringgold, Ga.; one sister-in-law, Martha Ann Phillips, Chattanooga; several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.
Interment will be in
Paul
Hahn
Paul Lewis Hahn, 73, of
He was a member of Ridgedale Church of Christ.
Survivors include two daughters, Mary Lynn Logston,
Minister G. Waymon Summers will conduct the service at
The family will receive friend today from 6 at p.m. in Ridgedale Church
of Christ.
Interment will be in
Jack
Hales
Jack V. Hales, 72, of
He was a retired police Captain for the City of
He is survived by his wife, Jean Hales; sons, Steve and Stan Hales, both
of Harrison; daughter, Linda Ball of
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, April 29th at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, with Rev. Grady Cooper officiating.
Interment will follow in
Ronnie Earl Hawk
Ronnie Earl Hawk, 75, died on
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at a local hospital.
He attended Lupton Drive Baptist Church.
He was a graduate of Central High School and graduated from Cleveland State
Community College with an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice.
Ronnie was past Master of Hill City Lodge # 603 F & A.M., past High Priest of
Hill City Chapter # 220, Past Illustrious Master, Delta Council # 127 R and S,
Lookout Commandery, KT #14.
He retired from the Chattanooga Police Department and Tennessee Department of
Revenue and was currently employed with Chattanooga Funeral Home.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl Hawk and Lois Morgan Hawk.
Survivors include his three children, David Earl (Regina) Hawk, Rhonda (Lynn)
Baxter, Jean Ann (David) Wilborn; special friend, Margaret Akin and family;
eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister, Joyce (Harold) Sanders;
nephew, Brent Sanders.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24, at the North
Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home with Pastor Randy Bell officiating. Interment
will follow at Chattanooga Memorial Park Cemetery.
The family will receive friends for visitation from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept.
23 and on Thursday from noon until the time of the service at the North Chapel.
Please share your thoughts and memories at
Mem.com.
Arrangements are made by Chattanooga Funeral Home Crematory and Florist, 5401
Hwy. 153, Hixson, Tn. 37343.
Posted September 22, 2009 Chattanoogan.com
Owner Of Plumbing Company Was Involved In City PD, Fire, And Politics
Mr. Duke Hicks, a combat veteran, a former member of both the fire and police departments of this city, and the founder of a successful plumbing company that bears his name today, died on March 16. He was 89.
Mr. Hicks was born
on May 17, 1917, in Benton, Tn. Shortly after his birth, his family relocated to
East Chattanooga, where he lived until his move to Harrison in 1988. It was in
Benton, where he spent long spans of his childhood summers at the side of his
grandfather, the legendary Methodist preacher, Tupper Hicks, that Mr. Hicks
first developed his great skills as a storyteller and as a cook.
In 1941, Mr. Hicks married Mildred Elizabeth Kidwell. They had two daughters,
Susan and Sara. Mrs. Hicks preceded Mr. Hicks in death in 1987.
During World War II, Mr. Hicks served in the Navy's 31st Construction Battalion,
better known by their nickname, the Fighting Seabees, in one of the Pacific's
bloodiest battles at Iwo Jima. Below Mt. Suribachi he witnessed what is perhaps
the most famous raising of this nation's flag. Mr. Hick's death came 62 years to
the day after Iwo Jima was declared secure.
After serving for many years on both the fire and police departments, Mr. Hicks
started his own company, Duke Hicks Plumbing in 1959. By the early 1970s, the
company specialized in petroleum piping for gas and oil lines. In 1992, Mr.
Hicks sold the business, known now as Duke Hicks Plumbing and Petroleum, to
longtime employee Mike Webb.
Mr. Hicks was a 32nd degree Mason, past Worshipful Master, and he was a past
president of the Mechanical Contractors Association. In addition, as a former
Democratic precinct captain, Mr. Hicks was for many years involved in local
party politics. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church and a devoted
volunteer in the Changed Lives ministry.
In addition to his first wife, Mr. Hicks was preceded in death by his parents,
Harry and Lena G. Hicks; his brother, Dean; and a sister, Net Ragle.
He is survived by his wife, Wilma Ramsey Hicks, of Harrison; his two daughters,
Susan (Kit) Steakley, of Ringgold; and Sara (Robert) Richey, of Chattanooga;
stepchildren Brenda (Jim) Lee and C. Michael (Karen) Ramsey, both of
Chattanooga; and three grandsons, James K. "Tripp" Steakley, 111, of
Chattanooga; E. Duke (Sarah) Richey, of Walla Walla, Washington; R. Kevin
(Samantha) Richey, of Mount Pleasant, S.C.; a granddaughter, Kay Steakley
(James) Hardeman, of Ringgold; stepgrandchildren Jeffery Scott (Donna) Seagle,
Christie Lea (Lebron) Johnson, John Michael (Sarah) Ramsey, and Nicholas Ellis
Ramsey, all of Chattanooga; great-grandchildren, Graham Hicks Steakley, Matthew
Kittrell Hardeman, Kendal Jordan Steakley, Allison Kay Hardeman, Duke Hicks
Richey, Emelia Foerster Richey, and Edwin Ward Richey; stepgreat-grandchildren,
Ramsey Gail Seagle, Colston James Johnson, Claire Elizabeth Johnson, and Ellis
Barbara Ramsey; two nieces, Pat Page and Jane Butterworth; two nephews, Dan
Brown and Bill Brown.
Pallbearers will be Tom Basham, Dan Brown, Roy Reeves, Hazen Butterworth, Mike
Ramsey, and Mike Webb.
The family would like to thank the following caregivers: Bonnie Morgan, Tracy
Morgan, Monica Thomas, Peggy McFalls, Bryan Morgan, Nicole Rollins, and Rita
Brazille.
The family will receive friends at Chattanooga Funeral Home East on Wednesday
from 5-8 p.m.
A funeral service will be held at First Presbyterian Church Chapel on Thursday
at 1:30 p.m., with Ben Haden and Rev. Steve Wallace officiating.
The family will receive friends in the church's Connector beginning at 12:30
p.m. Interment will be at Greenwood Cemetery following the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial dona~ions be made to
Alzheimer's Association, 735 Broad Street, Chattanooga 37402, Hospice of
Chattanooga, 4355 Highway 58, Suite 101,58 Commons Building, Chattanooga 37416,
or Changed Lives, Box 100, Chattanooga 37401.
30-Year
Police Veteran Freddie L. Houston Dies
Chattanooga Police Capt. Freddie Lee Houston, a 30-year veteran of the
department, died Thursday evening, Feb. 19, 1998, after a yearlong battle with
cancer.
Capt. Houston died at
“His death is a real loss to the community,” said Police Department
spokesman Lt. Doug Gray.
Capt. Houston, hired in 1968, was one of the first officers to work in
the department’s K-9 unit when it began in the 1970’s.
He worked his way up through the ranks and spent much of his career in
the patrol division.
“He was truly a 24-hour-a-day police officer,” said Lt. Gray.
Capt Houston spent much of his career patrolling the downtown area, and
during his time with the department he taught a lot of officers how to do their
jobs, Lt. Gray said.
In 1986, Freddie Lee Houston was promoted to the rank of captain.
In 1988, he was appointed to serve on the Chattanooga Human Rights
Commission.
Most recently, he worked as a liaison with the district attorney’s
office.
He was a member of Avondale Church of Christ.
Arrangements will be announced by Taylor Funeral Home.
Clyde
M. Ingle
Police Dept. Employee, Veteran
A former Chattanooga Police Department employee, Clyde M. Ingle of Tyner, died Wednesday, Dec. 23, 1998, at t local hospital. He was 58.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Marines and served in the Korean Conflict.
Mr. Ingle was a lifelong resident of
He was also board chairman of the Hamilton County Special Tactics and Rescue Service, a member of Teamsters Union Local 515 and a member of VFW Post No. 484. He was preceded in death by brothers Kenneth Ingle and David Wolfe.
Survivors include his wife, Rose Marie Ingle, a former member of the
Chattanooga School Board. Also
surviving are two sons, Clyde Ingle, Ringgold, and Clay Ingle, Harrison; two
daughters, Dottie Willmore,
Funeral services will be held Monday at 12:30 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Road, with ministers John Cupp and County Commissioner Harold Coker officiating.
Burial will be in
Joe
Jenkins, 73, Dies; Was City Fire Official
Joe
Jenkins of
The
lifelong
He
was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, a member of
Survivors
include his wife, Bobbie Ruth Jenkins; a daughter, Candy Thrower; and a
granddaughter, Jordon Thrower, both of
Services
will be Friday at
Burial
will be in
The
family received friends at the funeral home.
Steven Clifford Karas
Steven Clifford Karas, 60, of
Soddy-Daisy, died on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 at a local hospital.
Mr. Karas was a 1966 graduate of Brainerd High School. He entered the Army in
1967 and served his Country until 1971. He went to Helicopter Pilot School at
Hunter AAF, Ga., from 1969 -1970. He served as a combat pilot in Vietnam where
he flew search and rescue missions and transported troops to and from combat
zones. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Valorous Unit Award, Air
Medal, and Bronze Star.
After his military service he entered the Chattanooga Police Department in 1972.
During his tenure with the Police Department he flew one of the first
helicopters the city had in service. He retired from the Police Department in
1998 and started a second career with the Tennessee Department of Transportation
and continued to work there until his time of death.
He also served as an instructor pilot in the Tennessee National Guard 278th ACR
from 1986-1993.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Caroline and Frank Karas; Fern and
Eugene Mathis; and father, Donald Larry Karas.
Survivors include his two sons, Dustin Karas, Kevin Karas; daughter-in-law,
Stacy Karas; mother, Robertine Vorwerk; stepfather, Richard Vorwerk; sister,
Cathy Faulkner; brother-in-law, Pete Faulkner; nephew, Eric Faulkner, and Janet
Karas.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, at the North Chapel with
Pastor Seton Tomyn officiating.
Interment will follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery with military honors.
The family will receive friends for visitation from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, and from
10 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday at the North Chapel.
Please share your thoughts and memories at
Mem.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Mr. Karas to the
Chattanooga-Hamilton County Animal Shelter.
Arrangements are made by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home Crematory
and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, Tn. 37343.
Chattanoogan.com
Harold
D. "Danny" Kelly Sr.
Harold D. “Danny” Kelley Sr., 57, of
He was a native and lifelong resident of
His brothers, Robert Earl Kelly and Joseph Gordon Kelly Jr., preceded him in death.
Survivors include wife, Ginger Sue Kelly; children, Danny Kelley Jr., Robin Powell, Lynette Mullins; brother, Pete Kelly Sr.; grandson, Logan Powell; nephews, Steve Kelley, Dr. Pete Kelly Jr.; niece, Katie Kelley.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at the South Crest Chapel with
burial following at
George Scholze Knowles
Walden Officer Was Former Assistant Fire Chief
Retired Assistant Chattanooga Fire Chief George Scholze Knowles died Friday,
June 29, 2007. He was 66.
He served for 33 years with the department prior to his retirement in 1994. Upon
leaving the fire service he became a private security officer. For the past
seven years Walden Security assigned him to duty at the Hamilton County
Courthouse.
During his long public service career he was known as a kind, friendly person
with many special friends. One of his greatest gifts was the love he exemplified
for his family. He also earned the reputation as an excellent firefighter, and
one of the leaders in the department. At the Courthouse he was helpful to
officials, employees, and citizens transacting business with the government.
After undergoing heart surgery he was cared for by a loving family, John Dixon,
and numerous courthouse friends.
Members of his family include his wife of 46 years, Sally Allen Knowles, his
three children Herb and Diane, who reside locally, and Phil (wife Louise) who
resides in Plano, Texas. He is also survived by his seven grandchildren, Josh,
Brandon, Kehlsey, John-Alex George, Christopher, Morgan, and Taylor.
He is also survived by four brothers; Dorman, retired from Arnold Engineering;
Joe, former chief of the Chattanooga Fire Department; Bill, Hamilton County
Clerk; Bud, Hamilton County Administrator of Elections, and a sister, Virginia
Pell, a nurse at the Kindred Hospital.
Preceding him in death is a daughter, Rebecca Ann; parents, City Detective
Claude P. Knowles Sr. and Rose Campbell Knowles.
The family will receive friends at Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Road
Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m.
A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal
Church, 7th and Pine streets, on Monday at 3 p.m.
Officiating at the celebration will be the Rev. Samuel H. Payne. Scripture
readings will be given by Hamilton County Commissioner Curtis Adams, the Rev.
John Andrus and Dan Hunt. Eulogies will be delivered by Hamilton County
Commission Chairman Larry Henry, Commissioner Greg Beck and Alan Knowles.
Pallbearers will be Josh Knowles, Brandon Knowles, Christopher Johnson, Scott
Pell, Finley Knowles, Alan Knowles and Joe Knowles Jr. Honorary pallbearers will
be County Mayor Claude Ramsey, Members of the Hamilton County Commission,
judges, elected officials, Mike Walden, and courthouse and Courts Building
employees.
A private interment will be held.
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home on East Brainerd Road.
Chattanoogan.com P
Roland
M. Lovvorn
- Retired Captain Of Chattanooga Fire Department
Roland M. Lovvorn, age 64, retired captain, City of Chattanooga Fire Department
and native of Chattanooga, died Thursday morning, February 8, 2007, in a local
hospital.
The son of the late Roland Sylvester and Virginia Ardena Carmichael Lovvorn, he
had been an employee of the fire department for more than 33 years. He served as
president of the IAFF Union Local #820 of the Chattanooga Fire Department and
was an active member of Central Baptist Church of Hixson where he and his wife
of 43 years, Diane prepared the Wednesday evening fellowship meal as well as
other food needs for the church.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by one daughter, Lisa Thomas; two sons,
Jim Lovvorn and Sean Lovvorn and his wife Catherine, all of Chattanooga; three
grandchildren, Ryan and Danielle Thomas and Jordan Lovvorn; two sisters, Susie
Capley, of Chattanooga, and Joy Boyd, of Macon, Ga.; and several nieces and
nephews.
A celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday in Abba's House,
Central Baptist Church in Hixson with Dr. Ron Phillips, Rev. Angie McGregor and
Rev. Ron Gilbert officiating. Burial will follow in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
Active and honorary pallbearers will be members of the City of Chattanooga Fire
Department who will also serve as Honor Guard.
Visitation will be on Friday from 5-7 p.m., and on Saturday from 2-4 and 6-8
p.m., at the funeral home.
Please share your thoughts and memories at
Mem.com
Arrangements are by Chattanooga Funeral Home - North Chapel, 5401 Highway 153.
Chattanoogan.com Posted February 8, 2007
Fletcher Little, 75, of
He was one of the first black police officers to be hired by the
Chattanooga Police Department. He
served as a police officer until July 1, 1969, and later joined the Fire
Department with the city of
He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Lugenia Little; three sisters, Jessie Lyle, Sarah Edwards and Catherine Williams; and three brothers, James, Luther and David Little.
Survivors include wife, Doris Wright Little; two daughters, Carolyn Wright Garner and Janice Little; grandchildren, Timothy McField, Tiffany Halfacre Williams; Danielle Little and Daethyn Wasson; one great grandson, Jamarr Hughes; and one grandson-in-law, Bruce Williams, Sr.
Kenneth
M. Malone Dies; Retired Officer
Kenneth M. Malone, who retired as a lieutenant from the Chattanooga Police Department, died Saturday, Nov. 29, 1997, at his home here. He was 65.
Mr. Malone, a lifelong Chattanoogan, was a veteran of the Marine Corps
and had been an employee of the
He was a member of East Lake Christian Church, the Fraternal Order of Police and the Mountain City Masonic Lodge.
Survivors include his wife, Alice Moore Malone; two daughters, Pam Monroe
and Patti Meadows, both of
The funeral will be Tuesday at 1 p.m. at Chattanooga Funeral Home, East, with the Rev. Jim Gaither officiating.
Burial will be in
Phillip T. Mann
Phillip T. Mann, a lifelong resident of Chattanooga, died on Friday morning,
March 9, 2007, at his residence. He was 67.
Mr. Mann was a graduate of Chattanooga High School and served his country in the
U.S. Marine Corps. He was retired from the Chattanooga Police Department as a
lieutenant with 29 years of service.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward T. and Ruby Lee Mann.
He was a member of Red Bank Masonic Lodge 717 F&AM, the Scottish Rite Bodies and
Alhambra Shrine. He was also a member of St. John’s United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Rita P. Mann; daughter and son-in-law, Amie and
Darryl Jenkins; and grandson, Brandon Jenkins; daughter, Phyllis Mann;
stepdaughters Denise Walker and Judy Foster; stepgrandsons, Damien Fawbush and
Trey Sisemore and Travis Foster; stepgranddaughters, Holly Fawbush and Elizabeth
Foster; several stepgreat-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday in the East Chapel of Chattanooga
Funeral Home with the Rev. Ron Goodman and the Rev. Barry Kidwell officiating.
Interment will follow in Forest Hills Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral
home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Chattanooga, at P.O. Box 19269,
Chattanooga, TN 37416.
Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home Crematory and
Florist, 404 S. Moore Road, Chattanooga, TN 37412.
Posted March 10,
2007 Chattanoogan.com
LeBron
McCallie
Retired Chattanooga Police Lieutenant. LeBron McCallie died Friday, Nov. 17, 2000, in a local hospital. He was 76.
Services will be Nov. 19 at 10 a.m. at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home with the Rev. John Bacon and the Rev. Mark Davis officiating.
Burial will be in
Robert
Miller
Mr. Miller retired as a captain from the Chattanooga Fire Department and
served as a district patrolman, jailer and desk sergeant with the Police
Department. He was an Army veteran
having served as a military police officer in the First Cavalry Division at
He was a former member of East Brainerd Church of Christ, and was
currently a member of Grundy Street Church of Christ in
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Helen Louise Hardy and Jackye
Patterson.
Survivors include his wife, Margaret Smith Miller; son, Robert Dykes
Miller,
Services were held Tuesday at Watson-Gamble Funeral Home.
Burial was in
Grady
Nation
Grady Raymond Nation of
He retired from the Chattanooga Police Department as a lieutenant with 26 years of service.
He was a Baptist and was preceded in death by his parents, Dennis G.. and Nancy I. Nation; and a brother, Jack Nation.
Survivors include fine sons, Gary, Jerry, Lamar, Michael, and David
Nation, all of
David
Paris Sr.
Mr. Paris was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy.
Mr. Paris was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Griffin Paris.
Survivors include one daughter, Kimberly Paris Coates; one son, David
Hodge Paris Jr.; one son-in-law, Gary W. Coates; one daughter-in-law, Elaine S.
Paris, all of
Funeral services will be Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 4 p.m. CST from Rudder
Funeral Home chapel in
Interment will be in
Richard
Paul
Richard
“Dick” Paul, 77, passed away Saturday, Nov. 20, 2004.
Dick
was a lifelong resident of
Dick
was a compassionate friend who offered help to anyone in need.
Mr.
Paul joined the U.S. Navy in 1942 at the age of 16, and served honorably through
1948.
He
was a member of American Legion Post 14, VFW Post 4848 and LaSociete des 40
Hommes et 8 Chevauxs – Voiture Locale 645.
Upon
leaving the military, Mr. Paul joined the Chattanooga Fire Department where he
served for 23 years. He then worked
for the Tennessee Department of Insurance as a fire safety inspector and retired
after 17 years.
He
was preceded in death by his parents, Burnette and Lillie K. Paul and sister,
Lou Paul Rogers.
He
is survived by children, Gary (Tina) Paul, Carolyn (Ronnie) Creek and Sandra
(Rick) Rose; grandchildren, Melissa Adams, Rebecca Roberson,
A
graveside memorial service will be at
Visitation
was at Wann Funeral Home on Tennessee Avenue.
James
Lewis Payne
James Lewis Payne of
Services will be Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. in the Highway 58 Chapel of Turner Home with the Rev. Jack Fitts officiating.
Burial will be in
Jerry W. Perry, 93, who lived most of his life in Chattanooga, died Monday, Jan. 10, 2005, in Charlotte, N.C.
Mr. Perry was a graduate of Central High School where he was an outstanding football player.
He served in the U.S. Navy twice, once during World War II. He had a long distinguished career with the Chattanooga Police Department serving as police officer, then detective and later initiating and finally supervising the finger print operation. After retirement, Mr. Perry worked with the Tennessee Probation and Parole Board.
For years he raised spectacular roses, freely donating them to others. He made his beautiful garden available for numerous weddings. He was past president of the Chattanooga Rose Society and author of several articles on rose growing. Mr. Perry was active in both the Ridgedale and Brainerd Churches of Christ.
He was preceded in death by wives Helen and Virginia. He is survived by wife Jeanelle B. Perry, of Chattanooga; son, Paul Jerry Perry and wife Joan,
of Holmes Beach, Fla.; daughter, Jane Perry Stone and husband, Robert, of Charoltte, N.C.; grandchildren, Elizabeth Glover(Mrs. Paul), David
Perry (wife Cecelia), Sean Perry and Jessica Huff; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be
made to Martin-Boyd Christian Center at Stanifer Gap Road, Chattanooga, TN. 37421. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2005, at the Brainerd Church of Christ. Ministers John Cupp and Johnny Owens Jr. will officiate.
Jack
Poole
Jack M. Poole, retired after 25 years with the U.S. Postal Service, died
Saturday, March 9, 1996, at his
Mr. Poole, a native and longtime resident of
Survivors include his wife, Dollie Haney Poole; two daughters, Frances
Strickland and Terri Massengill, both of Chattanooga; son, Jack Rogers,
Nashville; two sisters, Sallie Pierce and Lillina Holt, both of Chattanooga;
four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Services will be Tuesday at
Arnold O. "Tot" Powell
Retired As Chief With Chattanooga Fire Department
Arnold O. "Tot"
Powell, 77, of Nashville, died on Saturday, August 12, 2006.
Arnold was a longtime resident of Chattanooga and retired from the Chattanooga
Fire Department as a Chief.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Joanne Powell and a grandson,
Jeffery Kyker.
"Tot" is survived by a daughter, Cindy and husband Don Kyker; his second wife,
Sonya Powell and two grandsons, Joseph and Jason Kyker.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home
chapel. Burial will be in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends from 4–8 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and
Florist.
Charlie
R. Reno
Charlie R. Reno of
Graveside services will be Monday at 10:30 a.m. in
Jack
Robbs
Former Chief of Police Jack Robbs Dies at 75
Jack Robbs, a former chief of police with the Chattanooga Police Department, died Friday, March 20, 1998, in a local hospital. He was 75.
Mr. Robbs retired after 32 years with the department.
He was a decorated veteran of the Korean conflict and World War II. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart, the Distinguished Flying Cross and many other medals.
He was a Baptist, a Shriner and a past grand master of the Masonic lodge.
He was a son of the late Charles F. Robbs, Sr. and Vera Robbs. He was preceded in death by a son, Chuck Robbs; a brother, Lee Robbs; and a sister, Christine Hedrick.
Survivors include his wife, Sophie Robbs; three brothers, Gene Robbs,
Arrangements will be announced by Chattanooga Funeral Home, East.
Richard Victory "Dickie" Roberts
Retired Officer With Chattanooga Police Department
Richard Victory “Dickie” Roberts, 68, of Red Bank, died on Monday, May 31, 2010
in a local hospital.
Dickie was a retired police officer with the Chattanooga Police Department.
Dickie was an avid pool player, karaoke singer and had done artwork.
Survivors include his brothers, Noel (Janey) Roberts of Red Bank, and John (Lita)
Roberts of Mowbray Mountain; and seven nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 3, at Lane Funeral Home,
601 Ashland Terrace, with Rev. Wallace Angel officiating. Interment will follow
in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
Mike Brock, William “Nunu” Lowery, Billy Johnson, Jimmy Harris, Scott Ramsey and
Larry Parker will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Eddie Samples
and Pete O’Leary.
Visitation is from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday, June 2, at Lane Funeral Home,
601 Ashland Terrace.
Visit www.lanefh.com to share condolences.
Cleatus
Rodgers, Sr.
Longtime
Cleatus Rodgers Sr., a well known
Mr. Rodgers served as a patrol officer and juvenile detective and retired as a sergeant after 31 years of service. He was among the first groups of African-American police officers hired during the early 1950’s in the city.
He was often interviewed by the local media and historians to recount his experiences of police and law enforcement service during the years of desegregation.
Mr. Rodgers was a member of the Retired Policeman’s Association.
Following his retirement from the police department, he served as a
driver with Mercury Taxi Company. He
was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in World War II.
Mr. Rodgers was a member of
Survivors include his wife, Flossie M. Rodgers; two daughters, Juliette
R. Thornton,
The funeral will be Monday at 11:30 a.m. at
Burial will be in the Chattanooga National Cemetery.
Raymond
Rogers
Raymond Rogers of
Mr. Rogers, a lifelong resident of the
Survivors include his wife, Billie Jean Rogers; one daughter, Mrs. Pamela
Jean McBride,
Services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home with the Rev. R. W. Janeway officiating.
Burial will be in
Patrick Aubrey "Pat" Rowe
Police
Department Captain
Patrick Aubrey "Pat" Rowe, a retired captain of the Chattanooga Police
Department, died Thursday, May 25, 2006, following a car accident a week
earlier.
Capt. Rowe was born April 30, 1931, in Jasper to Guy and Geraldine Rowe, who
preceded him in death. He also was preceded in death by a brother, James D.
Rowe; and grandson, Kyle McDaris.
He was a graduate of Chattanooga High School and was a veteran of the U.S. Air
Force from 1951 to 1954. In 1955, he joined the Chattanooga Police Department.
Capt. Rowe retired in 2000 as the longest-serving officer in the history of the
department. He was a dedicated servant to the Chattanooga community and was of
the Baptist faith. Capt. Rowe enjoyed six years of retirement as an avid trout
fisherman in Tellico Plains, Tn.
He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who is loved and will be missed.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Jean Coleman Rowe; children, Patrick A.
(Delores) Rowe Jr., Carla Rowe (David) McDaris, Scott W. (Denice) Rowe, and
Officer Chad L. (Rhonda) Rowe; grandchildren, Aubrey M. (Nikki) Rowe, Brooke
Deakins, Chadley Regan Rowe and Katie Jean Rowe; several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Hamilton Memorial Gardens with the
Rev. Billy Dean and the Rev. Jake Carroll officiating.
Pallbearers will be Sgt. Darrell Whitfield, Sgt. Sully Batts, Sgt. Tim Carroll,
Officer Bill Phillips, Lt. Randy Dunn, Sgt. Edwin McPherson.
Honorary pallbearers will be the Chattanooga Police Department.Visitation is 1-4
and 6-9 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Visit www.lane-coulterchapel,com to
send condolences. Arrangements are by Lane Funeral Home, Coulter Chapel, 601
Ashland Terrace.
Chattanoogan.com Posted May 27, 2006
Danny J. Rowland
City
Police Supervisor Danny J. Rowland Dies
Danny J. Rowland, a retired lieutenant and
district supervisor for the Chattanooga Police Department, died today, Oct. 20,
1995, in a local hospital. He was
61.
Mr. Rowland a longtime resident of
He served with the police department for 27 years and had received many
awards and citations. He was a
member of the first canine unit and the Red Ball Express.
He was preceded in death by his father, Oliver M. Rowland, Sr.
Survivors include his mother, Mary E. Rowland, and a son, Danny Rowland,
both of
A graveside service will be Sunday at
The family will receive friends today from
John
Russell
John
E. “Johnny” Russell, 80, of
local
hospital.
Mr. Russell was retired after 44 years as an assistant chief with the
Chattanooga Police Department and was a World War II Army veteran.
He was a member of
He is survived by his wife, Charlotte M. Russell; son, David Russell, and
wife, Laura, of Rossville; daughter, Johanna Sauls and husband, Bill, of
Ellijay, Ga.; stepchildren, Connie Bowman and husband, Steve, of Chattanooga,
and Steve Abercrombie and wife, Sally, of Ringgold; six grandchildren, four
great-grandchildren; brother, W.H., and wife, Lucille, of Rossville; and sister,
Ruby Brinkley of Nashville, Tenn.
Funeral services will be held at
Interment
will be at Chattanooga
National
Cemetery.
William Carl Saylors
William Carl Saylors, 82, of Chattanooga, died Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2005, in a local nursing home.
He was a native of Sparta, Tenn., and a U.S. veteran serving in the Asiatic Pacific Campaign during World War II. He was a member of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the J. Fred Johnson Bible Class.
Mr. Saylors retired in 1988 as assistant chief of police for the city of Chattanooga, where he headed the traffic division and initiated the mounted horse patrol. He was a 50-year member of East Lake Lodge 698 F&AM, the Chattanooga Scottish Rite and Alhambra Shrine Temple.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Katherine Saylors, Chattanooga; a son Charles W.(Catherine) Saylors, McDonald, Tenn., three grand-daughters, Jennifer Funderburke, Alabama, and Darris and Caryln Saylors, both of McDonald.
A graveside service with full military honors will be Monday at 1:30 p.m. at Chattanooga National Cemetery with J. Fred Johnson Jr. officiating.
Harry
E. Schroyer Jr.
He was a lifelong resident of the
Survivors are wife, Betty Schroyer; sons, Gary Schroyer, Ringgold, Larry Schroyer, Soddy-Daisy; daughter, Teresa Yates, Chattanooga; brothers, Ronnie Schroyer, Soddy-Daisy, Ed Schroyer, Pratsville, Ala.; grandsons, Brandon Schroyer and Chad Yates; several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday in the funeral home chapel with the Hon. And Rev. Samuel Payne officiating.
Burial in
William O. Scoggins
WW II Veteran Retired From Chattanooga Police Department
William O. Scoggins, 79, of Hixson, died Wednesday, April 19, 2006. He was
retired from the Chattanooga Police Department, a member of the East Gate Church
of God of the Union Assembly, member of East Lake Masonic Lodge #698, member of
Daisy OES #328 and a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II.
He is survived by his wife, Kathleen Scoggins, Hixson; one son, Billy Scoggins,
Chattanooga; three daughters, Karen (Jim) Hill, Chattanooga, Wanda (O.L.) Hart,
Belvidere, TN, and Alexis (Ronnie) Smith, Chattanooga; two stepsons, Tim Lewis
and Greg Lewis, both of Hixson, one brother, Manuel Ray, Chattanooga; several
grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 5-8
p.m. on Friday, at the Dodds Avenue Chapel of Turner Funeral Homes. Burial will
be private. The family requests that contributions be made to the American
Diabetes Association. Arrangements are by Turner Funeral Homes, Dodds Avenue
Chapel, (423) 622-3171. Chattanoogan.com Posted April 20, 2006
Tom Sircy
Member Of Tennessee Highway Patrol For 29 Years
Tom Sircy died on October 27, 2009, at a local hospital.
Tom was born in Jackson Co., Tn., May 3, 1915 and was preceded in death by his
parents, Ira and Mary Sircy, five brothers and one sister.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Dean Sircy; special niece, Mary
Sircy Doyle, of Deer Park, Tx.; great-great nieces, Kathy and husband David
Wright, of Des Moines, Ia., Karen Sircy, of Norfolk, Va.; great-great nephews,
Jim Sircy, Jay and wife Tina Sircy, Justin Sircy, all of Burbank, Ca., Joe
Sircy, of Cairo, Il., John and wife Debbie Sircy, of Paducah, Ky.; other
great-great nieces and nephews and many friends.
Tom was a member of the Tennessee Highway Patrol for over 29 years, retiring in
1973.
Tom was a devoted faithful member of the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church
for over 58 years, having served as chairman of the Planning Committee of the
new sanctuary when it was built in 1958. He also was a former deacon, trustee,
and a member of the Property and Grounds Committee. He was an active member of
the McAllister Bible Class.
Tom will be missed by his many friends.
His service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30, at the First Cumberland
Presbyterian Church, 1501 North Moore Road, with Rev. Jean Richardson, Rev.
Lanny Johnson and Dr. Gary Carver officiating. Burial will follow in Lakewood
Memory Gardens – East.
Joe Sircy, John Sircy, Jim Collins, Tom Rusk, Nick Santore, Les Spencer, Jim
Liner, Rick Jackson and Jack Felix will serve as pallbearers. Elders, deacons
and the McAllister Bible Class will serve as honorary pallbearers.
The family will receive friends at the church on Thursday, from 5–7 p.m., and
from 1–2 p.m. on Friday.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: First Cumberland
Presbyterian Church - Preservation Fund.
Special thanks to Dr. John Cranwell for his wonderful care as his physician for
over 30 years.
Please share your thoughts and memories at
Mem.com.
Arrangements are by Chattanooga Funeral Home – East Chapel, 404 South Moore
Road.
Posted October 28, 2009, Chattanoogan.com
Walter
Smart, 77, Dies; Former Fire and Police Commissioner
Walter W. Smart, former
A native of
Mr. Smart was elected as fire and police commissioner for
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Jessie Smart; and sister, Juanita Cannon.
Survivors include his wife, Darby Smart; three sons, Brian Smart,
A graveside service will be Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. in the
Raymond
Stargin Jr., Former Policeman, Businessman, Dies
Raymond Stargin Jr., who retired after 25 years with the Chattanooga Police Department, died Thursday, March 11, 1999, in a local hospital.
Mr. Stargin owned and operated White Castle Bar-B-Que, the Westside Tavern, the Marine Room and the East Third Street Spur gas station.
He was a member of
Survivors include his wife, Callie Stargin; five children, Raymond Stargin III, Arnetta Scruggs, Randy Stargin, Carolyn Brandon and Michael Bloodsoe, all of Chattanooga; two sisters, Ethel Mae Adams, Colorado, and Geneva Scruggs, Chattanooga; a foster brother, James McDonald, Atlanta; several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
The funeral will be Wednesday at noon at
Burial will be in
Jimmy
Tate
ROSSVILLE – Jimmy Lebron Tate, 64, died Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2002, in a local hospital.
He was a lifelong resident of the
He was preceded in death by his father, Festus Tate.
Survivors are wife, Janet Bearden Tate; sons, Rick and Steve Tate, both of Rossville; daughter, Lisa Tate Jeffers, Rossville; and grandchildren, Leah, Amber and Kyle Tate, Ashley and Katie Jeffers, all of Rossville.
Services will be 3 p.m. Saturday at
Interment in
Bill
Taylor
William “Bill” Joseph Taylor, 74, passed away Sunday, June 23, 2002, at his home.
Mr. Taylor was a lifelong resident of
He was preceded in death by his daughter Carol Jenkins.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Margaret Taylor; sons, William J. Taylor Jr., and James Richard Taylor of Hixson; daughters, Billie Kerns, Soddy-Daisy, Lisa Taylor, Hixson; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
The funeral service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday in the chapel of Williamson & Sons Funeral Home with Pastor Rick Smith officiating.
Interment will follow in Chattanooga
Retired
John Robert Taylor Jr., who retired as a major from the Chattanooga Police Department, died Friday, July 26, 1996, in a local hospital. He was 60.
Mr. Taylor was a graduate of
He began with the Chattanooga Police Department as a patrol officer and later became a K-9 officer in charge of training for the officers and dogs. He also was a staff training officer and taught self defense.
He became assistant director of training, where he developed and implemented departmental goals and objectives. He was promoted to the rank of captain in the Patrol Division.
As a major in the Detective/Investigation Division, he planned organized and coordinated case management for a variety of investigative activities for officers.
He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Christian Police Officers,
Fraternal Order of Police, Demolition Ordinance, Tennessee Laws Enforcement
Officers Association and the 114th Session of the
He was a local administrator of the National Regional Organized Crime
Network, past master of Ridgedale Lodge 660 F&AM and a member of
Survivors include his wife, Judith Ann Taylor; two sons, Robert A. and
John Richard Taylor; a sister, Alice Mincey, all of
The funeral will be Monday at 11:30 a.m. at Chattanooga Funeral Home, East, with Dr. Wayne Barber, Dr. Rick Shepherd and the Rev. Haywood Cosby officiating.
Burial will be in
Robert Tucker
Retired From Chattanooga Police
Department
Robert Tucker, 60, of Chattanooga, died on Monday, Aug. 7, 2006, after a
lengthy battle with cancer.
He was born on Feb. 4, 1946, in Chattanooga. He served with the Army from
1962-66. He was stationed in Gilnhausen, Germany, for two years and Fort Hood,
Tx., as a drill sergeant for one year.
After a brief stay at Combustion Engineering, Robert joined the Chattanooga
Police Department where he retired, working in patrol, motor squad, narcotics
detective, auto theft detective and back to sergeant in the Patrol Division.
Robert also served two years in the 1970s in the Tennessee Army National Guard
as a recruiting sergeant.
He was a member of Masonic Lodge #549 and the Fraternal Order of Police. He
also served as president of Police Local Union #644 for seven terms. He was
the owner of Highway 58 Pawn Shop and Robert Tucker Bonding Co.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William E. Tucker and Flora N. Neely
Tucker; one brother, Harold Tucker; and two sisters, Evelyn Swafford and Betty
Rutherford.
He is survived by two sons, Robert Tucker and Zac Tucker, both of Chattanooga;
two daughters, Roma Tucker, Chattanooga, and Elaine Cornwell, Chattanooga; two
sisters, Helen Morrow, Hixson, and Dorothy Couch, Rossville; and several
grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, at 11:30 a.m. in the Highway 58
Chapel of Turner Funeral Homes with the Rev. Jimmy Carl Ball officiating.
Burial will follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery.
Honorary pallbearers with Chattanooga City Police officers.
Visitation will be held Thursday, from 3-8 p.m.
Contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society or Hospice of
Chattanooga.
Arrangements are by Turner Funeral Homes, Highway 58 Chapel, (423) 894-2012.
Chattanoogan.com
Daniel Cleland Turner
Daniel Cleland Turner, 62, of
Harrison, died on Friday, February 19, 2010, after fighting a long battle
with health issues caused by strokes. His loving wife Anita Turner was there
by his side just like she had been every day that he had been sick, caring
for him like no one else could. Danny’s children were also there to wish
their father one final goodbye.
Danny was born June 26, 1947, in Port Orange, Fl., but grew up and lived his
entire life in the Chattanooga area. Those of you that knew him certainly
have many great stories and memories of his life.
Danny was a fireman for many years. He worked for the Chattanooga Fire
Department. He also had many entrepreneurial endeavors over the years; the
most successful was Anita’s Bird House. This was an exotic bird farm that
Danny and Anita owned together. Those of you that knew Danny certainly
remember his birds.
As a fireman, Danny helped to establish the Fraternal Order of Firefighters.
This is an organization that is still in operation today. Danny was elected
as president of the FOF, and he served in that position for many years.
Danny’s true passion in life was helping people. Whether it was saving
someone from a burning building, giving an unfortunate child a home to live
in, helping someone new to the country get on their feet, making sure all of
the kids in the community had Christmas presents, or just giving a begging
homeless man money to eat on. These are the things that Danny did well.
He was the most selfless person around. He always took care of everyone
around him and neglected himself. He would have it no other way.
We all will miss you dearly, Danny! Per Danny’s request, no public service
will be held.
The family would like to thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers. We
would especially like to thank Hospice of Chattanooga for all of their kind
work in Danny’s final days.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Chattanooga Forgotten Child
Fund.
Send condolences at www.CovenantFuneral.com.
Arrangements are by Covenant Funeral & Cremation Service, Crox family owned
and operated.
Chattanoogan.com Posted February 24, 2010
Elijah
F. Vandergriff, Retired Policeman, Dies
Elijah Forrest “Vandy” Vandegriff, a retired Chattanooga Police Department major and a founder of the Forgotten Child Fund, died Wednesday, March 25, 1998, two days before his 50th wedding anniversary, at t local hospital.
Mr. Vandegriff headed the department’s traffic and motorcycle divisions and was an Army veteran. He was a longtime member and former deacon at Brainerd Church of Christ, where he and his high school sweetheart were married and taught children’s Sunday school for a number of years.
Survivors include his wife, Imogene Skillington Vandegriff; a son,
Forrest Lynn Vandegriff, Hixson; sister,
The funeral will be Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Chattanooga Funeral Home, East, with Minister Ronnie Missildine officiating.
Burial will be in
Detective With Chattanooga Police Department For 25 Years
posted February 4,
2006
Ray O. Vaughn, age 78, a lifelong resident of Chattanooga, died on Friday,
February 3, 2006 in a local hospital.
He was the son of the late Charles and Nancy Vaughn. He was a veteran having
served in the United States Navy. He retired as a detective from the Chattanooga
Police Department after 25 years of service. He attended
Ridgeview Baptist Church.
Mr. Vaughn was preceded in death by a sister, Helen
Dabbs; two brothers, Joe Vaughn and Charles Vaughn.
He is survived by wife of 58 years, Barbara Ross Vaughn of Chattanooga; two
sons, Ray (Judy) Vaughn Jr. of Chattanooga and David Vaughn of Michigan; two
daughters, Debra and her son, Alex Vaughn of Chattanooga and Janice Vaughn of
Chattanooga; four grandchildren; two step grandchildren; three great
grandchildren; three step great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews;
sister, Shirley Smith of Brentwood, TN;
brother, Jim Vaughn of Rossville, GA.
Funeral services will be held on Monday at 1 p.m. at the East Chapel of
Chattanooga Funeral Home with Rev. Clay Moreland, Rev. Fate Thomas and Rev.
Tony Walliser
officiating. Interment will be in Forest Hills Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Sunday from 2-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 850 Fort Wood
Street, Chattanooga, TN 37403, Hospice of Chattanooga, 4355 Highway 58, Suite
101 58 Commons Building, Chattanooga, TN 37416 or to the Forgotten Children,
5959 Shallowford Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421.
Arrangements are by the Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, East
Chapel, 404 South Moore Road, Chattanooga, TN
James
Wilkes
James M. Wilkes of
Mr. Wilkes was a U.S. Army veteran and a retired
Survivors include his wife, Veri J. Wilkes; daughter, Janet Wilkes Kirk;
son, James M. Wilkes Jr.; brother, Edward Wilkes; and two grandsons, all of
The funeral will be Thursday at 12:30 p.m. at
Burial will be in
Clyde L. Willhoit
Clyde L.
Willhoit, former Chattanooga Chief of Police, died on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at
the age of 87.
He was born June 25, 1922 in Bradley County, Tn., and later his family moved to
Chattanooga where he attended Ridge Elementary School, Brainerd Junior High,
Central High School and Cleveland State College.
At the age of 20, Mr. Willhoit volunteered with the U. S. Army Air Corps on
October 7, 1942 and served during World War II with the 449th Bomber Group known
as the “Flying Horsemen” based in Italy where he flew 45 missions as a radioman.
50 missions was the maximum permitted any service member; the odds of being shot
down and killed or captured were extremely high.
He received several citations and medals; the Air Medal with three Oak Clusters
and the Purple Heart.
The 449th Bomber Group’s main emphasis was in the Italian Theater of Operation
flying missions over Northern Italy, Southern France and Southern Germany. The
work of the 449th is credited with shortening the war in Europe by effectively
shutting down Nazi supply and transportation capabilities including shutting off
petroleum. The latter disallowed Germany from training new pilots though they
had plenty of aircraft.
Mr. Willhoit entered the service as a private and retired 33 years later as a
Colonel. He continued his military service in the Army Reserve until his
retirement and was recalled to active duty during the Vietnam War as a
survivor’s assistant.
The day after Mr. Willhoit returned from the war he went to work for the U.S.
Post Office and later joined the Tennessee Highway Patrol where he returned
decades later as the THP’s Executive Officer during the Patrol’s 50th
Anniversary.
Mr. Willhoit would say that his proudest achievement was convincing Mary Ruth
Smith Willhoit to marry him which she did on November 10, 1945. The couple was
married 62 years with Mary Ruth passing on Nov. 4, 2007.
Clyde said he was introduced to Mary Ruth by a mutual friend. Mary Ruth was a
nurse at Baroness Erlanger Hospital where she had served during World War II
associated with the Army WAC. Clyde was instantly attracted to Mary Ruth and
sought to date her arriving in a sharp convertible. A double date was arranged
whereupon during the date Mary Ruth said Clyde’s car literally ran out of gas.
They were constant companions raising four children. In later life, the two very
much enjoyed traveling to annual meetings of his old 449th Bomber Group at
locations all over the U. S. and once in Germany. In 2004, Mr. Willhoit helped
arrange the meeting of his old group at the Chattanooga Choo-Choo at the group’s
14th Reunion with over 100 persons in attendance.
Al Allen, now 89 and living in Peoria, Il., was also a Member of the 449th.
Though he and Mr. Willhoit did not serve in the same unit he said that Brigade
had over 2,000 personnel – 600 of whom were flyers. They flew in the P24J Bomber
and he recalled a mission over Albania when they saw over 6,000 Nazi troops in a
parade.
Mr. Allen said the group flew in at less than 1,000 feet and wiped out the enemy
soldiers below. Less than 500 of the Brigade Members survive today.
Mr. Willhoit was sworn in to the Chattanooga Police Department on August 10,
1948 as a patrolman working his way up through the ranks to become Chief of
Police in 1976. He retired in 1979 with 33 years of service.
Chief Willhoit was among the first enrollees at the then new Cleveland State
Community College in 1967 where he received an Associate’s Degree in Criminal
Justice. He was a Certified Senior Radio Engineer who was instrumental to moving
the CPD from the VHF to UHF Radios in the 1970’s which for the first time
allowed officers to carry radios with them when away from their squad cars.
Following his retirement from the Chattanooga Police Department, Mr. Willhoit
was asked by the new State Commissioner of Safety Gene Roberts to join him in
Nashville when Governor Lamar Alexander was elected. At his departure from the
Department of Safety, he returned to Chattanooga and he and his beloved Mary
Ruth built the log cabin of their dreams on the farm in Bradley County complete
with its own fishing pond.
But Mr. Willhoit’s service was not yet complete. Chattanooga Mayor Gene Roberts
called on him once again to assume the duties of City Court Clerk during an
important time of court growth and transition.
He was a member of Ridgedale Masonic Lodge, where he became a 32nd Degree York
Rite Mason. Later he became a Member of the Alhambra Shrine Temple where he was
an active member of the Bus Unit at the temple taking the children and parents
to the Masonic Hospitals for treatment and surgery.
He was a member of the Missionary Ridge Chapter Order of the Eastern Star. He
was past president and current member of the board of directors at the
Chattanooga Half-Century Club.
The 449th Bomber Group was part of Eighth Air Force, established in 1944 at High
Wycombe Airdrome, USAAF, England. 8 AF was a United States Army Air Forces
combat air force in the European Theater of World War II, engaging in operations
primarily in the Northern Europe. It was the largest of the deployed combat Army
Air Forces in numbers of personnel, aircraft and equipment.
Clyde and Mary Ruth had been active members of the Brainerd Baptist Church for
over 60 years where he was on several committees. He was a member of the Dixon
Sunday School Class. He was an avid fan of the University of Tennessee
Volunteers and attended football and girls basketball games.
He and Mary Ruth enjoyed spending time with their family especially their
grandchildren and great-grandchildren, hosting them on the family farm where
Clyde also raised livestock and did farming in retirement.
Mr. Willhoit, while assistant chief of the Services Division at the CPD, was
instrumental in assisting Roberts in unparalleled growth and professionalism of
the police and fire departments with emphasis on increased personnel, training,
education and equipment.
Mr. Willhoit also helped secure Federal Law Enforcement Assistance
Administration funds for the building of the then new $1.5 million dollar Police
Services Center in 1974. He had oversight for its building and location on
Amnicola Highway. For the first time in many years, all divisions of the
Chattanooga Police Department were placed under one roof. This site was selected
because it was in the geographic center of the city.
Mr. Willhoit also led the effort that in 1972 saw the department acquire its
first two helicopters. He also oversaw installation of a closed circuit
television monitoring system in the City Jail and parts of City Hall for
enhanced security.
A verified story is that late one night in the late 1960s Clyde and Chattanoogan
Gene Pike met a flight at Lovell Field with the remains of a returning soldier
killed in action in Vietnam. Upon inspection of the body, Mr. Pike says, it was
evident that in transit that the corpse had purged soiling the shirt of the
service member. Mr. Pike told Mr. Willhoit that the man had to have a
replacement shirt, “and now.” Given the hour and circumstances, Mr. Willhoit
removed his own shirt and put it on the man who had made the supreme sacrifice
for his country. It is the perfect example of the life that Mr. Willhoit lived –
always in service and consideration of others.
Mr. Willhoit is survived by four children and spouses, Ruby and George Roettger,
Knoxville, Tn., C.L. and Gayle Willhoit, McDonald, Tn., Mary Alice and Phil
Neal, Lee’s Summit, Mo., and Clarence W. Willhoit, Chattanooga; two brothers and
spouses, Rhoten and Jimmie Willhoit, Milton, Fl., and Roy A. and Louise Willhoit,
Chattanooga; ten grandchildren and spouses, Joel and Stacy Roettger, Knoxville,
Tn., Mark and Cristin Roettger, Maryville, Tn., Allen and Melanie Huggins,
Ooltewah, Kandy Huggins and Chip Griffin, Chickamauga, Laurel and Gary
Abernathy, Chickamauga, Richard Armstrong, Iowa City, Ia., Maggie and Esteban
Minsk, New Bern, N.C., Josh Armstrong, Ft. Collins, Co., Jenni and Dustin Reeve,
Blue Springs, Mo., Jeremy Willhoit, Chattanooga; 12 great-grandchildren, Noah,
Ella, and Claire Roettger, Maryville, Tn., Tristan, Bodie, and Piper Huggins,
Ooltewah, Christian Richards, Chickamauga, Brooklyn Abernathy, Chickamauga, Emma
and Seth Minsk, New Bern, N.C., Ethan Armstrong, Blue Springs, Mo., Sydney,
Logan and Lawson Reeve, Blue Springs, Mo., Paige Armstrong, Ft. Collins, Co.
Mr. Willhoit was preceded in death by his parents, Aner P. and Ruby D. Willhoit,
and his wife, Mary Ruth Smith Willhoit.
The family will receive friends at the Chattanooga Funeral Home East Chapel on
Thursday, May 27, from 3 - 7 p.m., and on Friday, May 28, from 10:30 – 11:30
a.m. at Brainerd Baptist Church, where the services will be held at 11:30 a.m.
with the Rev. Dr. Winford Hendrix officiating.
Interment will follow at Chattanooga’s National Cemetery with full military
honors at graveside.
Active pallbearers will be Allen Huggins, Jeremy Willhoit, Joel Roettger, Mark
Roettger, Rich Armstrong and Esteban Minsk. Honorary Pallbearers will be former
mayor Gene Roberts, Bud Miller, Gary Abernathy, Chip Griffin, Ronald G.
Eberhardt, J. Michael Pearson and Gene Pike, the Brainerd Baptist Church Dixon
Sunday School Class and the Alhambra Bus Unit.
Ronald G. Eberhardt, of San Diego, formerly of Chattanooga and a longtime friend
and associate of Mr. Willhoit, will present a eulogy on behalf of former Mayor
Gene Roberts.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the Alhambra
Shrine Bus Unit.
Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and
Florist, 404 South Moore Road, Chattanooga, Tn.
Chattanoogan.com posted May 26, 2010
EX-FIREMAN DIES AT 57
James
R. Williams, of
Mr.
Williams was a lifelong
Surviving
are his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Clinton Williams, two daughters, Miss Martha Jean
Williams and Mrs. Betty Dill, both of
Services
will be at
Earl
C. Wolfe Dies; Police Officer Here
Lt. Earl Clifton Wolfe, who served for more than 35 years with the Chattanooga Police Department, died Wednesday, Jan. 1, 1997, at his home here. He was 80.
Lt. Wolfe, a lifelong resident of
He was a member of the Chattanooga Lions Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars Lodge 48 and American Legion Post 14.
His parents were the late Efframe and Melinda Barber Wolfe.
Survivors include his wife, Beatrice Wolfe; a son, James Earl Wolfe,
The funeral will be Monday at 11 a.m. at the Dodd’s Avenue Chapel of Turner Funeral Home with the Rev. Billy Dean officiating.
Burial will be in
John Woy,
Veteran Officer, Died Yesterday - Had Enviable Record as Patrolman and Detective
William E.
Wyatt, Jr.
Retired Chattanooga Firefighter Owned Wyatt Sign Company
William E. Wyatt Jr., 81, of Chattanooga, died on Sunday, May 7, 2006.
He was retired from the Chattanooga Fire Department, owner of Wyatt Sign
Company, was a member of Painters Local 226 for over 50 years and a 50-year
member of Hill City Lodge 603. He was a member of North Side Community Church of
Seventh-day Adventists.
He was preceded in death by two sons, Jeffery G. Wyatt and Gandy K. Wyatt; and
his parents, William E. Wyatt Sr. and Clara Bridges Wyatt.
He is survived by two sons, Rodney L. Wyatt and Gregory B. Wyatt, both of
Chattanooga; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and
nephews.
Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, in Forest Hills Cemetery
with the Rev. Jose Nieve and the Rev. Zachary Wyatt officiating.
Members of the Chattanooga Fire Department will serve as pallbearers with
members of Painters Local 226 serving as honorary pallbearers.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, in the Dodds Avenue Chapel of Turner
Funeral Homes.
Arrangements are by Turner Funeral Home, Dodds Avenue Chapel, (423) 622-3171.
Chattanoogan.com Posted May 9, 2006