SMS John N. Badgett III, USAF, Ret., age 78, died August 11, 2022 at Kirby Pines Manor with Parkinson’s Disease. Born March 22, 1944 in Maryville, Tennessee to Blanche Clark Badgett and J.N. Badgett Jr. John was the oldest of three siblings and affectionately known by the family as Chip.
He graduated in 1962 from Wilbur Wright High School in Dayton, Ohio and The University of Tennessee Knoxville in 1972 with a BSBA degree.
Following in his father's footsteps he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1964 and retired in 2001. His last and longest assignment was with the Tennessee Air National Guard and specifically with the 164th Air Wing.
John loved his God (he was a charter member of Redeemer Evangelical Church), his family and his country. He was loyal and helpful to his friends. He never spoke an unkind word about anyone. If there was anyway he could be of service, he was available and whistling until Parkinson’s took that away from him. His mother always called him her “whistling boy” and Amazing Grace was his favorite whistling song. His sweet smile could light up any room.
He loved traveling and seeing new places — especially the beach and cruising. But the mountains of East Tennessee were always home and God’s Country.
He was predeceased by his parents, Oma and Opa. He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife of 39 years, Rebecca Little Badgett; daughters, Linda Hays (Norm) of Kiel, WI and Dietke Stogner, of Gibsonville, NC; grandchildren, Kaylee Picklesimer (Ralph) of Goose Creek SC, Andrew Hess (Adina) of Madisonville, TN, and Alexis Stogner of Surfside Beach, SC; and great-grandchildren, Caden Privette, Gracie Belle Picklesimer, and Jaxon Hess. He is also survived by his siblings, Susan Metzler (Bill) of Grove City, OH and Timothy Badgett (Trish) of Maryville, TN.
A visitation will be held Saturday, August 27, 2022 from 1:00 PM until the memorial service at 2:00 PM, at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38119. A reception will immediately follow.
Memorial’s may be directed to Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone NC 28607.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralPoplar.com for the Badgett family.
