In Memoriam William “Bill” Daniel Vinson Sr. ’42 of Davidson, N.C., died April 7, 2016. Born in Rochester, MN and raised in Richmond, VA, he attended Davidson College and proudly served his country during WWII as an Ensign aboard the USS Wasatch stationed in the Pacific. On returning from the war he completed his degree at Davidson and then obtained a master’s degree from UNC- Chapel Hill. He went on to a 35 year career with the General Electric Company, serving in various roles in several locations. On retiring from GE in 1987 he and Mary returned to Davidson to live in the home his grandmother built in 1898. He is survived by his wife Mary, two children, five grandchildren and two nephews. James Caldwell “Jim” Lee Jr. ’43 of Chattanooga, Tenn., died July 19, 2015. He served in World War II the U.S. Army Combat Engineers in the Pacific Theater and was part of the unit of first troops to occupy Japan. Post service, Jim completed his undergraduate education at Rhode Island State University and then obtained a law degree from Washington and Lee University. Jim thoroughly enjoyed his 50-year career of practicing law. He served as president of the Chattanooga Bar Association and as a member of the Tennessee Supreme Court’s Rule 42 Committee. He was preceeded in death by his wife Susannah. He is survived by their two daughters, along with grandsons, G. Taylor Belcher ’09 and Beau Belcher ’11. William Beasley Carter ’43 of Morganton, N.C., died January 31, 2016. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He is survived by his wife. James Charles Thompson Jr. ’43 of Pensacola, Flor., died February 25, 2016. Jere Clemens Caldwell III ’45 of Danville, K.Y., died November 8, 2015. Jere attended Centre College and the University of Kentucky. Jere served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the Western Pacific. Jere was a pilot, flew a Bonanza for many years and built his own ultralight aircraft, a “Snoop.” After his service in the Navy and completing his education, Jere went on to be a full-time farmer for more than 50 years. He was a founding member and the first president of the Kentucky Beef Cattlemen’s Association. Some of his many accomplishments were improving Hereford genetics and utilization of ultrasound as an evaluation tool. Besides his parents, Jere was preceded in death by his wife, Mary H. Caldwell. He is survived by his five children, three stepdaughters, six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, eight step grandchildren and two step great-grandchildren.
James “Jim” Walter Lail Sr. ’45 of Chattanooga, Tenn., died June 9, 2016. After his Military service in the Marine Corps, he moved to Chattanooga, and attended the University of Chattanooga. He started his career in construction with Lawson Electric Company. The remainder of Jims career was at Raines Brothers, Inc. At Raines Brothers, Inc. He rose through the ranks to become its President and an owner. His last role at the company was as Chairman of the Board. He was a Trustee of the McCallie School and in 1985 received the Schools Alumni Achievement Award. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, his loving wife of 52 years, Doris T. Lail; and son, Timothy W. Lail ’80. He is survived by son, James W. Lail Jr. ’80; son, Michael A. Lail ’83 ; two grandchildren, James W. “JW” Lail, III ’06 and John L. Lail; his brother, Charlie J. Lail, several nieces and nephews including Richard E. Lail ’82 and Richard Harris Lail ’19.
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Dr. David McWhorter Isbell ’48 of Signal Mountain, Tenn., died April 4, 2016. He received his pre-dental education from Vanderbilt University and his doctorate from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry, where he was elected to membership in the honorary Richard Doggett Dean Odontological Society. Dr. Isbell served in the Dental Corp of the U.S. Navy and in the Naval Reserve, attaining the rank of Lt. Commander. During his 40 years of practice, he served as President of the Third District Dental Society, Vice President of the Tennessee State Dental Society and was awarded the Tennessee Dental Association Fellowship Award. He was instrumental in establishing the Siskin Memorial Foundation Dental Clinic for children, where he served as a staff volunteer for 35 years. He is survived by Jane Dickert Isbell, his wife of 63 years; his two daughters, his two sisters, a sister in law, nieces and nephews.
Lyman Ward Hodge ’46 of Chattanooga, Tenn., died March 16, 2016. Two days after his McCallie graduation, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy as a 17-year old, proudly serving our country for two years. He then returned home and attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He worked as a salesman for the Cavalier Corporation and then ran an employment agency. He returned to University of Tennessee at Chattanooga as an adult student to receive his accounting degree. He was a well-loved local CPA spending 30 years at Joseph Decosimo and Company. He attended Avondale Baptist Church and later spent 63 years at Brainerd Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife of 38 years, Shirley (Norris) Hodge and two sisters, and two sets of parents. He is survived by his daughter, and two granddaughters; his son, and three granddaughters, and three grandsons, three nieces and five nephews. Sen. William “Ward” Crutchfield ’46 of Chattanooga, Tenn., died on April 3, 2016. A longtime colorful politician, he had a long life of public service as a former Democratic member of the Tennessee Senate for the 10th District, including Marion County and parts of Hamilton County from 1963-1967 and again from 1987-2007, during which he held the leadership role of Senate Majority leader during the 101st through 103rd General Assemblies. He was also a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives from 1957 to 1959 and 19611963. Prior to his public service, he attended the University of Chattanooga, and received a J.D. from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, College of Law, in 1951. He received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army. He served as the acting attorney for Hamilton County and an attorney for the Hamilton County Board of Education. His family was among the first settlers of Chattanooga. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Joan “Bunny” Crutchfield; two daughters, grandchildren, and a niece and nephew.
Former assistant football and track coach Richard Hugh Bohner died on Aug. 11, 2016, in Chattanooga. He was 74. Coach Bohner graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1964 and worked at McCallie from 1971 to 1981, often saying the most special years of his life were the ones spent teaching and coaching on the Ridge. Coach Bohner is the father of Rick ‘78 and Alex ‘87 as well as daughter Debbie Young He is the proud grandfather of Aimee, Rebekah and Hannah Bohner; Louisa and Frances Bohner; and Wes, Campbell and Jack Young. He is also survived by daughters-in-law Connie and Rachel Bohner, son-in-law Carter Young, his sister, Sharon Byers, a host of nieces and nephews, and Dottie Paden, his close friend and the mother of his children. Several of Coach Bohner’s former colleagues and players gathered for his funeral, which was held in the McCallie School Chapel on Aug. 20. FA L L 2016 |
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