John K. Pridemore

John K. Pridemore Sr., 89, passed away November 4, 2011, at Wexford House. He was born July 7, 1922 in Harlan County, Ky. to Andrew J. and Julia Hopkins Pridemore. He served in the United States Army during W.W. II in the invasion of Normandy, participating at the assault on Omaha Beach, at St. Lo and at the Battle of the Bulge. He moved to Kingsport in 1955 with Modern Bakery where he was a mechanical engineer for over 20 years. He ended his career retiring in 1987 with the Budd Company in Johnson City. Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife of 48 years Geneva Hackler Pridemore, his brother Eugene Pridemore and infant brother Robert Pridemore and a sister, Opal Pridemore. He is survived by a son, John K. Pridemore II and wife Emily of Kingsport, TN., daughters, Judy Weaver and husband Garry of Knoxville, TN. and Linda Cunningham and husband Thomas of Murrieta, CA., one sister, Nell Brown and husband James of Mentor, OH., grandchildren, John K. Pridemore III of Knoxville, Michael and Vicki Weaver of Knoxville, Angela Duggan of Denver, CO., Gwen Willcox of Temecula, CA., Russ Thornberry IV, of Menifee, CA., Jenny Cunningham of San Diego, CA., and Andy Cunningham of Portland, Or., nine great-grandchildren, two nephews and one niece. He was a member of Bloomingdale Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon, and was also a member of the American Engineering Society. The family would like to thank the dedicated caregivers at Preston Place Suites and Wexford House for their loving care of our Father during his illness.

A visitation for family and friends is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 6th between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at East Lawn Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, at East Lawn Memorial Park with the Reverend Dr. David Cagle officiating. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be the grandsons. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial gifts may be made to Second Harvest Food Bank, 127 Dillon Court, Gray, TN. 37615. Please visit www.eastlawnkingsport.com to place a condolence to the Pridemore family. Arrangements under the direction of East Lawn Funeral Home, Kingsport, TN.