Thomas Lowery Grindstaff, 70, Elizabethton, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, August 28, 2012, at his residence.
A native of Carter County, he was a son of the late Archie Allen and Virgie Lee White Grindstaff. Tommy was a 1960 graduate of Unaka High School and attended Steed College. He served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam Conflict. He was a retired Production Manager with Alcoa Aluminum. He was a member of the West Side Christian Church.
Tommy loved to watch his grandkids play in their sports and he loved to play Golf.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Kenneth Grindstaff.
Survivors include his wife of 39 years: Virginia Julian Grindstaff; A daughter & son-in-law: Shawn & Mark Swink, Johnson City; Two Sons & Daughters-in-law: Shannon & Sandy Grindstaff, Elizabethton, and Alan & April Grindstaff, Johnson City; Five Grandchildren: Kirk, Hunter, Allie, Aleah and Conor; One Sister & Brother-In-Law: Sharon & L.D. Livingston, Elizabethton; A Sister-in-law: Lynn Grindstaff, Elizabethton; Several nieces & nephews.
Funeral Services will be conducted at 7 p.m. Thursday in Memorial Funeral Chapel with Dr. Greg Key, Minister, and Mr. Todd Burleson officiating.
Graveside Service and Interment will be at 10 a.m. Friday, August 31, 2012, in Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active Pallbearers, who are requested to assemble at the funeral home at 9:20 a.m. Friday, will be: Wes Pearson, Marcus Julian, Kirk Wright, Gerald Norris, Gary Sheffield, Paul Burrow, Luther McKeehan and Norman Edwards. Honorary pallbearers will be: Former employees of Jarl & Alcoa Extrusion, his West Side Church family, Joe Taylor, the 1960 Graduating Class, Unaka High School, Les Grindtaff, Bill Swink, Harold Williams, J.M. Peters and Thomas Clemons.
The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home. Friends may also visit at the residence.
To those who prefer memorials may be made in memory of Mr. Grindstaff to the West Side Christian Church, 1307 West G Street, Elizabethton, Tenn. 37643.
Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home at 9:20 a.m. Friday to go to the cemetery.
Condolences may be emailed to mfc@chartertn.net.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is in charge.
