| Sources |
- [S16] Obituary.
Shirley Eldridge Gardenhire, 86, lifelong resident of Chattanooga, died on Sunday, January 25, 2009.
He grew up in the Oak Grove community and attended Oak Grove Baptist Church. Shirley was a former member of Highland Park Baptist Church and served as a deacon at Westminster Presbyterian Church.
He attended East Side Junior High School and graduated from Central High School, in the class of 1941. While at Central, he was All-City at quarterback on the football team and earned a scholarship to Memphis State to play football. He also was an All-City guard on the basketball team, where he was captain and an All-City shortstop on the baseball team.
He was a member of the ‘C' Club for three years lettering in three sports all three years. He was the 1941 May King at Central High School.
A veteran of WWII, he served with the 1330 Army Air Force Base Unit Air Transport Command stationed in China, Burma, India, Sadia Arabia and Egypt. He was Crew Chief, Aeronautical Engineer and Top Turret Gunner in a B-24. He flew 87 missions over the Hump (normal was 50).
During his service, he was awarded the Air Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with three Bronze Service Stars, American Theatre Ribbon, World War II Victory Medal and a Good Conduct Medal. He also received an Honorable Discharge in 1945.
At the end of World War II, he attended Dickson College in Carlyle, Pa.
An avid sports participant, he played amateur softball, church league basketball and golf. His last sport love was bass fishing, and he was a founding member of Bass Masters.
He worked for the Southern Railway for 45 years as a locomotive engineer, as did his father and older brother.
In 1982, he was elected to the Hamilton County Metro Charter Commission Study.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William Dowling Gardenhire Sr. and Alice Wilson Gardenhire; first wife, Martha Stutz Gardenhire, married for 38 years, who died in 1980; older brother, William Dowling Gardenhire Jr.; and younger sister, Ellen Gardenhire Engel.
He is survived by his son, Randall Todd Gardenhire; daughter, Sharon Lea Gardenhire Pierce; younger brother, Tom Morris Gardenhire Sr.; second wife, Alvada Gann Gardenhire of Seattle, Wa.; grandchildren, Shirley Brand (Keith) of Texas, Kimberly Alice Gardenhire of Chattanooga, Michelle Dodds Pierce Lester (Robert) of Marietta, Ga., Randall Todd Gardenhire Jr. (Amber), of Chattanooga, and Andrew George Gardenhire of Washington, D.C.; six great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Camp Joy at Highland Park Baptist Church or Bethel Bible Village.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday and 11 a.m.-12 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.
Graveside services will be at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Chattanooga National Cemetery with Dr. Dave Bouler officiating. Military Honors will be provided by American Legion Post 95.
Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 404 S. Moore Road.
- [S137] Hamilton County Tennessee Marriage Records, Hamilton County Clerk's Office, (https://secure2.hamiltontn.gov/CClerk/Marriage_License/PublicScreens/LicenseSearch.aspx).
Date Married: 11/11/1941 Book: 041 Page: 415 License: 01245
Groom Information
Name (FML): SHIRLEY E. GARDENHIRE
Address: 1712 WILLOW County: HAMILTON Birthplace:
City/State/Zip: CHATTANOOGA TN
Bride Information
Name (FML): MARTHA E. STUTZ
Address: 901 RIVERSIDE DR. County: HAMILTON Birthplace:
City/State/Zip: CHATTANOOGA TN
Officiant Name: J. FRED JOHNSON, MINISTER
|
1922 - 2009 (~ 87 years)
[1]