Thomas Kittredge

Thomas P. Kittredge, age 82, of Maryville, passed away Saturday, February 1, 2014 at Blount Memorial Hospital. He was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. He attended Broadway Baptist Church and was a veteran of the United States Marines. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin T. Kittredge and Harriett Donnelly Kittredge; daughter, Joan Elizabeth Kittredge Coffey; and granddaughter, Samantha Leanne Coffey. Survivors include his loving wife Blondell Kittredge of Maryville; son-in-law, William Coffey; daughter and son-in-law, Trina and Dr. Harold Weller of Pennington, New Jersey; son and daughter-in law, Steve and Medora Kittredge of Carrollton, Georgia; daughter and son-in-law, Jeanette and Reverend D.J. Omarkhail of Chattanooga, TN; grandchildren, Melanie and Chris Kittredge and Destiny Omarkhail. Tom was born in Boston, MA on July 22, 1931, and grew up in the New England area. He spent a lot of his childhood with his grandfather, William W. Robinson in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. He went to school in Putman, Connecticut. He joined the marines in September 1949 and served 13 years. He was a radar/radio repair man for the VMF-(N)-531 – a night fighter squadron who specialized in night air combat, and served in the Korean War, where his main objective was to modify and reactivate G-E autopilots in all A3D's . He received numerous awards including the Korean Service Medal with one star, Korean Presidential Units Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, United Nations Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged on December 19, 1962, with the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was stationed in the following places: Parris Island, Quantico, NAS Memphis, Cherry Point, Korea for 16 months, and finally at the Navy Air Reserve in Atlanta GA. After leaving the Marine Corps, he worked for Scientific Atlanta in Atlanta, GA for 11 ½ years. He moved to Rockmart, GA and worked for Goodyear Aerospace for 21 years. After retiring from Goodyear, he moved to Maryville, TN where he worked 5 years for Allied Signal. His passion and love for the Lord was evident. For many years he was an active member of Broadway Baptist Church. He served as a deacon, sang in the choir, worked with Musical Monday's Program, and for years he made sure that the church sign had a new, meaningful message each week. He loved teaching a special Sunday School class. Many people he didn't know would stop him in the store or the post office to tell him how much she or he appreciated his Bible teaching. Every lesson was taped and then aired on church's cable broadcast. He had the gift of encouragement. He blessed so many with his cards and letters expressing his concern and message that the recipient was in his thoughts and prayers. Funeral service will be held Tuesday, February 4, 2014, at Broadway Baptist Church. Family will receive friends from 12- 2 pm with service immediately after. Graveside Service following at Grandview Cemetery. Donations in his honor may be made to the Lupus Foundation, Alzheimer's Association or National Parkinson's Foundation. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000 To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Thomas Kittredge please visit our Sympathy Store.