Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) George Edward Jackson, Jr. went home to be with the Lord on July 14, 2018, at the age of 84. He was a member of Centenary Methodist Church and attended Trinity Free Will Baptist Church. He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Lucille Jackson, and nephew, Chris Bolton. He is survived by his wife, Ruth, and sons: Michael Jackson (Kristy), David Jackson (Wendy), Reed Jackson, and daughter, Mallory Jackson. Stepchildren: Leonard Parsons (Andrea), Brooke Parsons Carter (Keith), Tyler Parsons, Drew Parsons (Tracy). Grandchildren: Bronwyn Jackson, Samantha and Thomas Jackson. Stepgrandchildren: Leandra, Molly, Landon (Jake), and Lillian Parsons. Sisters: Sara Liller (Charlie) and Deborah Bolton (Jim). Nieces: Tammy Goetluck, Sara Fann, and Rebecca Gallman. He had a special friend, Fain Bennett, and a fondness for a special dog, Sport.
A native of Tampa, George attended Hillsborough High School, University of Florida, University of Tampa, and East Tennessee State University. He earned a B.S. in Psychology and Masters in History. He had a military career spanning almost 30 years, starting with 2 years in the Navy. He began in the army as a Warrant Office One, was a Military Intelligence Officer, and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. He served in the Vietnam War, mainly flying Caribou as an Army Aviator. After military retirement, he started his own company, East Tennessee Community Corrections, working with parolees.
His military awards and decorations include: Army Aviator Badge, National Defense Service Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster), Vietnam Service Medal, Air Medal (7th Oak Leaf Cluster), Good Conduct Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Expert (Rifle-M16A1), Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Meritorious Unit Citation, Meritorious Service Medal, and Armed Forces Reserve Medal.
From 2000 to the present, George was a member of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP). He was asked to be the Squadron Commander of the declining Greeneville unit, which successfully revived under his leadership. He was involved in Boy Scouts for many years and became an Eagle Scout, along with 3 sons and 2 stepsons. He was a member of the NRA.
George enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, boating, skiing, and his cabin. He traveled the world, but his favorite was the mountains in East Tennessee. He took up running road races and earned many trophies. Growing up on a lake, he was an excellent swimmer and lifeguard. As a professional water skier George set a world’s record by skiing 2000 miles down the Mississippi River on Sept 4, 1960. But most of all, he loved airplanes. Recently, he had designed plans to build his own.
George was a tough soldier with a tender heart. He believed in being honest, no matter what. He was more than willing to help others in need, such as stopping along the road for help with car trouble or deliver Thanksgiving meals. He loved his family and prayed to see them all in heaven.
Pallbearers will be Patrick Bridges (honorary Jordan Bridges), Royce Clouse, Brett Jones, Scott Jones, Kelvin Kuylee, Bill Smith, Marty Smith, and Tommy Tate.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Civil Air Patrol, Greeneville Composite Squadron, 355 Goddard Drive, Greeneville, TN 37745 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Services have already been completed.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family and viewed at www.valleyfuneralhome.net or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ValleyFuneralHomeErwin. These arrangements are made especially for the family and friends of Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) George Edward Jackson, Jr. through Valley Funeral Home, 1085 N. Main Ave., Erwin, 423-743-9187.
But I trusted in thee, O Lord; I said thou art my God. Psalm 31:14
Ora “Nanny” Herrell, age 97, Erwin, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 16, 2018 at the Center On Aging and Health while she was surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Bakersville, NC and lived in North Carolina before moving to Erwin in 1956. Ora was a daughter of the late Claude and Texi Peterson Bennett.
Paul Ellis Engle, age 79, Erwin, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 9, 2018 at The Waters of Johnson City while he was surrounded by his family. He was born in Erwin on April 27, 1939 and remained a lifelong resident of Erwin. Ellis was a son of the late Millard and Elizabeth Lingerfelt Engle.
Sharon Landingham, age 74, of Unicoi, passed away after a brief illness on Thursday, July 5, 2018, at Johnson City Medical Center. A native of Erwin, Sharon is a daughter of the late Ray and Clara (Mullins) Kegley. She loved cats, flowers, gardening, animals, and nature. Sharon traveled everywhere in the United States except Hawaii, because there was no bridge yet. She enjoyed sewing and spending time with her children and their friends. In addition to her parents, Sharon is preceded in death by her mother-in-law, Olean Landingham and father-in-law, Tom Landingham.
Norma Grimes Melanson, age 79, of Erwin, passed away after an extended illness and went home to be with her Lord on Thursday, July 5, 2018, at Select Specialty Hospital. A native of Erwin, Norma is a daughter of the late William Manley, Sr. and Lola B. (Caldwell) Grimes and a member of Evergreen Free Will Baptist Church. She was a representative for Brokers in Norfolk, VA. Norma was a loving wife, a blessing to those who knew her, a good friend, very competitive, hardworking, very positive, a fighter in life, who was loving and always generous. She loved to watch the Washington Redskins, the beach, playing cards, and scrabble. In addition to her parents, Norma is preceded in death by her husband of 41 years, Edward Joseph Melanson, brothers, Raymond “Beaky” Grimes and Jack Grimes, brother-in-law, Forrest Hamilton, and sister-in-law, Trudie Grimes.
Mrs. Alta Thomas Edwards, 88, of Johnson City, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 3, 2018, at Sycamore Springs Senior Living Community. Mrs. Edwards was born in Mountain City, Tennessee and was a daughter of the late Charles and Kate Nave Thomas. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Willis Edwin Edwards, on October 3, 2005, and a sister, Hilda Collins on January 17, 2017.
Wilma Irene Williams, age 92, went to her heavenly home on Tuesday, June 26, 2018, at 2:17 am. She was a lovely lady who welcomed everyone into her home and treated them as family. She dedicated her life to family and God. She was an active member of Mountain Dale Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Coy Williams; son, Ernest Dillard Williams; daughter, Joyce Marie Williams Barnett; grandchildren, Richard Williams and Christina Cowper.
David Wayne Beals, Sr., age 57, of Erwin, passed away on Saturday, June 16, 2018 at his home. A native of Erwin, David is the son of the late Wayne Hawkin and Trula Belle (Howard) Beals. He was of the Holiness faith and he retired from C. E. Refractories in Erwin after 28 years of service. He loved horses, cars and spending time with his grandchildren. In addition to her parents, David is preceded in death by his sister, Barbara Ann Beals; his brother, Darrell Beals; nephews, Donald Lynn Ayers and Wayne Oscar Ayers; niece, Elizabeth Virginia White.
Ira “Pete” Rutter, age 78, Rutter Lane, Erwin, passed away on Tuesday, June 12, 2018, at Unicoi County Memorial Hospital Long Term Care Unit after a lengthy illness. He was a lifelong resident of Unicoi County and son of the late Willard Brown Rutter and Mary Jane Williams Rutter.
Olean Roberts, age 85, 750 Carolina Avenue, Apt 129-A, Erwin, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 10, 2018 at her residence while she was surrounded by her loving family. She was a lifelong resident of Unicoi County and daughter of the late John and Dora Buchanan Roberts.
Mrs. Lillian S. King
Mrs. Lorraine Ledford Bailey, age 73, of Erwin, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 9, 2018, at her home, surrounded by her loving family. A native of Mitchell County, NC, Lorraine is a daughter of Doris (DeGroat) Ledford and the late Robert Ledford. She was a member of Pathway Freewill Baptist Church in Erwin. In addition to her father, Lorraine is preceded in death by her first husband: Reverend Clay Daniels; second husband: Wesley Bailey; son: David “Berry” Daniels.
Reba (Tipton) Bange, age 82, of Erwin, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, June 7, 2018. A native of Erwin, Reba is the daughter of the late Zeke and Lucy (Miller) Tipton. She was a member of Erwin Bible Holiness Church,
Justin “Boomer” Vance, age 30, of Unicoi, went home to be with his Lord on Sunday, May 27, 2018, at Unicoi County Memorial Hospital. He was a 2006 graduate of Unicoi County High School. Services have already been conducted.
Richard Dwight Coggins, age 65, of Erwin, passed away on Thursday, May 17, 2018, at Johnson City Medical Center. Richard was born in Virginia and lived most of his life in Erwin. He is a son of the late William and Sarah Coggins. He was a Mason and a Maintenance Track Foreman for Norfolk Southern. Richard was a proud veteran of the United States Army. He loved fishing and woodworking. In addition to his parents, Richard is preceded in death by two brothers: Robert Avery Coggins and Ellis Jack Coggins.
Carl Allen Wightman, of Erwin, Tennessee, was born in Bath, New York on 17 August, 1932. He passed away 24 April, 2018 at VA Mountain Home CLC. He was the son of Vernon E. Wightman and Edna Allen Wightman. He was the direct descendant of George Wightman who settled in New London, Connecticut in 1635. Carl was a lifelong Presbyterian.
Timothy Douglas Harrison was born in Birmingham, Alabama on February 25, 1964. He was a graduate of Fairfield High School. He was a member of Central Park Ensley Presbyterian Church. He was preceded in death by his father, Carl Douglas Harrison, and step-father, Julian V. King. He is survived by twin brother, Ted Taylor Harrison; wife, Debbie; sister, Callie Harrison Faircloth; husband, Green; mother, Carole Harrison King; nieces, Callaway Faircloth and Carole Ann Faircloth; nephew, Taylor Harrison; one step-brother and three step-sisters.