Delmer Wallen, Sr., 78, TN, obituary
Delmer Wallen, Sr., 78, of 817 Morison Avenue, Kingsport,
Sullivan Co TN, left this earthly dwelling for his heavenly
home on Monday, January 28, 2008 after a long
illness.
He was born in Kyles Ford, Hancock Co TN, and had lived in
Kingsport for most of his years since 1943. He was
employed by Kingsport Grocery Company (wholesale grocers)
for thirty-two years, serving as president and general
manager. He was in the wholesale grocery business for
forty years, also managing wholesale grocery companies in
Middlesboro and Harlan, KY and in Johnson City, TN. After
leaving the wholesale grocery business, he was a real
estate broker and insurance agent.
He was active in community and civic affairs, serving on
several boards, some of which were:Holston Valley
Community Hospital, Salvation Army in Kingsport and
Middlesboro, KY, Junior Achievement of Kingsport where he
served as president, charter board member of Girls, Inc,
Kingsport Community Chest (now United Way), American
Cancer Society, East Tennessee State University National
alumni board. He served as president of Harlan County, KY
Chamber of Commerce in 1986. He was a charter member of
The Optimist Club of Downtown Kingsport (chartered-1964),
and served as club president. He was governor of the
Tennessee District of Optimist in 1969-70. He served as a
member of the executive board of the Sullivan County
Republican Party for many years, and was elected as
chairman of the Sullivan County Republican Party to serve
January, 1999-January, 2001.
He was a 50-year member of the American Legion, having
served during the Korean Conflict with the U.S. Army Corp
of Engineers, and was one of the founders and the charter
president of the National 361st Engineer Construction
Battalion Reunion Group. He was a York Rite Mason and Shriner.
He was a member of the West View Primitive Baptist Church,
where he served as Church Clerk/Treasurer, teacher of
adult Sunday School Class and was a member of the Church
quartet. He loved his church family, and until his illness,
he was faithful to whatever his role happened to be.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William Henry and
Bertha Bledsoe Wallen; 3 sisters, Lola Mae Robinette,
Belva Wallen and Goldie Tittle; 5 brothers, Oval J.,
Ellis, Sr., Burnis, Glynn, and Paul Stanley Wallen, Sr.
Surviving are his loving and caring wife of 51 years, Jean
Castell Wallen; daughter, Donna Bailey, and husband Bob of
Lawrenceville, GA; 2 sons, Chief Petty Officer, Delmer
Wallen, Jr., and wife Vicki with the U.S. Navy (Kuwait),
David and wife Cathy of Calhoun, GA; 5 grandchildren,
Elizabeth Bailey, Bobby Bailey, Chase Wallen, Will Wallen
and Katie Wallen.
Calling hours will be from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday,
January 31, 2008 at Carter-Trent Funeral Home, Kingsport.
Funeral service will be 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral
home with Elder Bernice Sybert, Elder John Arnotte, and
Elder Walter Willis officiating. Music will be provided by
the West View Singers, and Carl Archer (trumpet).
Entombment services will be conducted 12 noon Friday,
February 1, 2008 at Oak Hill Mausoleum. Pallbearers will
be Gale McCullogh, Jack Osborne, Bill Stewart, George
Cole, Kenny Fannon, and Bobby Bailey. Honorary pallbearers
will be Gaines Wallen, Darrell Wallen, Stan Wallen, Andy
Wallen, Joe C. Wallen and Clay E. Boyd, Jr.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The
Optimist Club of Downtown Kingsport, Scholarship Fund,
P.O. Box 185, Kingsport, TN 37662.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting
http://www.cartertrent.comhttp://www.cartertrent.com
With photo:
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