December 10, 1937 – March 4, 2013
Date of Service: March 7, 2013
Section: Mausoleum of Peace
Fred Wayne Simerly, 75, Johnson City, passed away Monday, March 4, 2013, at Johnson City Medical Center.
A native of Elizabethton, he was the son of the late Worley and Willie Berry Simerly. He was a member of First Christian Church and attended the Wyn-A-Coupla Sunday School Class with his wife, Roberta.
Fred was a graduate of Elizabethton High School, where he excelled in basketball, as Captain of the team for two years he earned the All State Award and was inducted into the Elizabethton High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.
He was also a graduate of East Tennessee State University and held a Bachelor’s Degree in business. While working for Coca-Cola, Fred worked as a representative at three world Olympics. He was a volunteer Marshal for Wachovia PGA Nationals and also volunteered for the Home Depot Golf Tournament for Seniors. Fred was also a volunteer coordinator for Road to Recovery and volunteered at Mountain States, Franklin Woods, American Cancer Society and won the Mid South Division American Cancer Society Community Volunteer Award in 2010-2011.
He also won a leader in Christian Service Award from Milligan College in 2012 and was a part of the Emmaus Community and a member of the Presidents Club at Emmanuel Christian Seminary since 2005.
Fred loved the UT Vols, Milligan College, Emmanuel Christian Seminary and the Johnson City Symphony. Anyone that knew him would say Fred was the most generous and kind person they knew. He was a devoted and loving husband, daddy and papaw.
In addition to his parents, Fred is preceded in death by two infant sisters.
Fred leaves behind his loving wife of 48 years, Roberta, Johnson City; a daughter, Victoria (Vikki) Kaleel and husband, Stephen, Charlotte, NC; a son, Todd Eldridge Simerly and fiancé, Gina, Plymouth, CA; a granddaughter Lauren Elizabeth Fraundorf and husband, Samuel, Atlanta, GA; a brother, Bobby Simerly and wife, Sarah, of Murfreesboro, TN; a special niece, Glenda Britt, Johnson City, TN; and a special Aunt, Bobby Howard. Many nieces and nephews also survive.
A special Thank You to Dr. Farrow, Dr. Goenka, Melissa Leake, the 6th floor staff at JCMC and the 2nd floor staff at Franklin Woods for the excellent care provided to Mr. Simerly.
A Celebration of Life service for Fred Wayne Simerly will be conducted at 12:00 PM Thursday, March 7, 2013, at First Christian Church, Johnson City, with Minister Tim Wallingford, Minister, Steve Hill and Minister Eddy Fine officiating. Music will be under the direction of Mike Imboden.
Entombment services will follow in Happy Valley Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, March 6, 2013, in the Sunrise Chapel of Tetrick Funeral Services, Johnson City, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM and Thursday, March 7, 2013, from 11:00 AM until the service hour at First Christian Church, Johnson City. Pallbearers will be Dwight Britt, Rusty Lewis, Dennis Granger, David Fletcher, Bill Lowe, John Binger, Greg Leake and Frank Mustard. Honorary pallbearers will be Sam Greer, Kyle Leake, Bill Allen and his class of ’56 buddies: Al Wallace, Bill Turner and Carroll Billhiemer.
In lieu of flowers, Fred requested that memorial contributions be made to the Youth Program at First Christian Church, 200 East Mountcastle Drive, Johnson City, TN 37601; Milligan College, PO Box 500, Milligan College, TN 37682; or Johnson City Symphony Orchestra, 112 E. Myrtle Avenue, Johnson City, TN 37601.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family and viewed at www.tetrickfuneralhome.com or faxed to (423) 610-7177.
Arrangements for the Simerly family are in the care of Tetrick Funeral Services, 3001 Peoples St., Johnson City, TN 37604. (423) 610-7171