David Guinn Adcock

Adcock, David G., died peacefully at his home the morning of December 24, 2014. He was 95 years of age. David was born in Knoxville June 9, 1919, the son of William and Mary Guinn Adcock. The youngest of four children, he grew up in Knoxville, and while going to school worked part time as an usher at the Bijou Theater and the Tennessee Theater downtown, and participated in ROTC. After graduating from Knoxville High School in 1937, he worked at TVA as a draftsman and engineer assistant. Part of his work duty included drafting work on maps of a secret project in Anderson County, later known as Oak Ridge. During that time he met Mary Elizabeth Ross, who was the secretary to the engineer under whom he worked. Their courtship was interrupted by World War II. David received a commission as second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, completed training in the Army Air Corp as both a pilot and navigator/bombardier, and served in Italy. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his efforts in saving the lives of his crew and the remnants of his squadron after they were heavily damaged on a mission. He returned home at the end of the war and married Mary Elizabeth (Liz), settling in Knoxville. He worked first at the Patented Button Company, eventually becoming sales manager. He later worked in the insurance business, eventually joining partners in starting their own insurance agency. At the end of his career he was an associate in the office of financial aid at the Univ. of Tennessee, and was instrumental in finding and hiring employees for the international exhibitors at the 1982 Knoxville Worlds Fair. David was always active in church, growing up a Baptist. After marriage he was active in the Presbyterian Church, at the old Park City Presbyterian, and later at Lake Forest Presbyterian; he taught Sunday School and served as a deacon and elder. For the past twenty years he was a member at Church Street United Methodist Church, was a member of the Murphy Builders Sunday School class, and volunteered as a communion steward and in the Soup Kitchen and Community Worship. After the death of his wife Liz in 1988, he was introduced to Lorna (Sugar) Kent Davis on a blind date arranged by a mutual friend; and their relationship grew and blossomed. They married in 1989. With marriage his family grew in number, today having over 40 immediate family members. David was preceded in death by his parents; by his brother Bill Adcock, by his sisters Doris and Virginia; by his wife Mary Elizabeth Ross Adcock. Living to remember and cherish his life and legacy are; son David and Jan Adcock, their sons John Mark Bowers (Tannia), Stephen Bowers (Lindsay), Jason Bowers, and Luke Bowers; daughter Lea and Sam Lyle, their children Katie Wroblewski (Matt), Sarah Harris (Andy), Mary Lyle and Sam Lyle; wife of 25 years, Lorna (Sugar) Kent Adcock; son Vic and Patti Davis and their children Camellia, Virginia, Jay Ellington (Leigh), and Laura Beth Davenport (Matthew); son Kent and Lynn Davis and their children Hallie and Sydney; daughter Nancy and Danny Cox and their children Nicholas, Morgan (Annie) and Rachel (Paul); daughter Mary Alice Davis and Monte Boone and their son Cole McLemore; nephew Jim and Mary Lou Adcock and their son Kevin. He has eighteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. David’s funeral and Celebration of the Resurrection will be at Church Street United Methodist Church on Sunday, Dec. 28 at 3:00 pm, with visitation to follow at the church. Rev. Matthew Hampton and Rev. Kevin Blue will be officiating. The burial, with full military honors, will be 1:30 pm Monday, Dec. 29, at the East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, 2200 E. Gov. John Sevier Hwy. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Church Street UMC Soup Kitchen Ministry, 900 Henley St. Knoxville, TN 37902. Condolences may be offered at www.berryfuneralhome.com