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- [S16] Obituary.
September 16, 1921 - October 25, 2011
Neil Franklin Varnell, 90, of Sale Creek, passed away in the arms of his son on his own back porch Tuesday, October 25, 2011. He was born on Sept 16, 1921 in Birmingham, Ala., to the late Fred Emerson Varnell and Bertha Thomas.
The family moved to East Chattanooga where Neil attended local schools and got paddled just about everyday. Leaving school in 9th grade to go to work, he held a variety of jobs, eventually becoming an electrician, being a proud member of the IBEW for over 70 years.
During WWII, Neil enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he served overseas for 26 months. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds suffered on the island of Leyte, being bayoneted and hit by machine gun fire during an enemy attack. Told he would never walk again, Neil fought through his paralysis to return to the Electric Power Board where he went to work in the overhead line department, climbing poles.
Leaving the Power Board to travel, Neil worked everywhere from Miami to Alaska, building steel towers and electrical lines across the country. At various times he was also a truck driver, bouncer, motorcycle stunt performer, and taught himself to play guitar. As a professional musician, Neil was well respected and played in clubs, bands and events through the area and was a member of the Musicians Local for years.
He returned to the Chattanooga area and began working at the EPB again and met his wife, Jean, the one person who could rein in the wanderlust. Together they built a life, retiring to Sale Creek where they ran Varnell’s Blueberry Hill. During the years they ran the farm, they made many friends whom they enjoyed seeing year after year.
The day before he died, my Dad said, “I’ve been everywhere and done just about everything. I guess I don’t have anything left that I wanted to do.”
He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean S. Varnell.
Survivors include son, Louis Varnell and daughter-in-law, Rene, as well as a large number of friends and family who also considered him a father figure as well.
Funeral service will be 12:30 p.m. Monday in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. James C. Gibson officiating. Interment will follow the service at Chattanooga National Cemetery. Family will receive friends from 2-9 p.m. Saturday and 4-9 Sunday at the funeral home. Contributions may be made to the Southeast Veterans Museum at the History Co., 6652 Lafayette Road, Chickamauga, GA 30707.Condolences and memories may be shared at www.williamsonandsons.com. Arrangements are by Williamson & Sons Funeral Home, 8852 Dayton Pike, Soddy-Daisy, TN 37379
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1921 - 2011 (90 years)
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