Jerry Lynn VanCleave

Jerry Lynn VanCleave, age 82 of Chattanooga, passed away peacefully at his home on December 14, 2022 with his devoted wife Linda by his side. He was born on February 1, 1940 in Huntingdon, Tennessee. His family ultimately settled in Rogersville, Tennessee where he graduated from Rogersville High School in 1958. He then attended and graduated with an Associates in Arts from Hiwassee College. He subsequently attended and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Tennessee Polytechnic Institute (Tennessee Tech) in 1964.

Jerry had a long and rewarding career in his chosen profession with stops at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) where he retired after 28 years of service and eventually Bicentennial Volunteers, Inc. (BVI) where he worked with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

First and foremost, Jerry was a caring and attentive husband, father, brother, uncle and friend. He was involved in scouting, sports and every other endeavor taken up by his children. True to form for an engineer, he was known and respected for his curiosity, precision and sometimes unorthodox, but effective solutions to the wide array of challenges and problems one encounters in life. His favorite advice to anyone struggling with a project was “cut to spec and beat to fit” followed by “let’s look at it together”. He will be long remembered for his impactful sense of humor including his typical parting comment to his “favorite” son in law - “no hard feelings”.

When he wasn’t helping others, he enjoyed working on and driving antique cars and was a member of the Chickamauga Region Antique Automobile Club of America. He also enjoyed University of Tennessee sports, gardening, home projects and his pets.

He was a longtime member of Tyner United Methodist Church, a member of the Masonic Lodge #543 in Bridgeport, Alabama and a member of the Tennessee National Guard. He was devoted to his extended family and made it a priority to participate in family camping trips, catfish dinners and gatherings for every occasion throughout his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Edmond and Ocie Dean Yarbrough VanCleave; his father-in-law and mother in-law, Rufus and Gertrude Chestnutt Haynes; brother and sister-in-law, Celton and Mary Scott VanCleave; sister and brother-in-law, Don and Betty VanCleave Gray; and brother-in-law Max Mays.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Linda Kay Haynes VanCleave; son, Roger Lynn VanCleave (Melanie); daughter, Lisa VanCleave Lay (Jack); step grandchildren, Jacob (Jasmine), Jordan and Maddie Lay; sister, Joyce VanCleave Mays; brother, Terrell VanCleave (Phyllis), and many treasured nieces and nephews and his loyal Boston Terrier, Winston.

Special thanks to caregivers from Ardent Senior Care & Hearth Hospice for their dedication in providing compassionate care to Jerry and his family.

Funeral Service will be held at 6:00 pm Tuesday, December 20, 2022 in the funeral home chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, East Brainerd Chapel with Pastor Charlie Harrison officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday from 3:00 pm until service time at the funeral home. The interment will be held on Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at 2:00 pm at Kite Cemetery, Highway 70 South, Rogersville, TN 37857. Pallbearers will be his son, Roger VanCleave, son-in-law, Jack Lay, nephews Terry, Tim and Joe VanCleave and grand-nephew, Braxton VanCleave.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the church or charity of your choice.

Please share your memories of Jerry with the family at www.chattanoogaeastbrainerdchapel.com

Arrangements are by the East Brainerd Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 8214 E. Brainerd Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37421.