Ernest Igou, 94 of Chattanooga, died on Monday, June 18, 2012.
Ernest was born at Stamp, Ala., on June 28, 1917, to Grover and Cora Chitwood Igou. His grandparents were George A. and Sally Igou and William P. and Rebecca Chitwood, all of Fort Payne, Ala.
He married the former Thelma Styles in 1940. He was preceded in death by Thelma, his loving wife of 64 years, in 2004, and his daughter, Dian Igou in 2008.
He is survived by his son Michael Igou, Chattanooga and five grandchildren, Ingrid Haun and Gabriel Cole, both of Maryville, Tn., Ariel King, Raleigh, N.C., Gretchen Igou and Patrick Igou both of Chattanooga and eight great-grandchildren.
Mr. Igou worked for the Chattanooga Free Press as staff artist, starting the day they published their first daily newspaper, on Oct. 31, 1936. In the fall of 1939 he went to work for Adams Lithographing Company as their artist. During World War II he served over two years in the U.S. Army as a Master Sergeant in charge of a company of German POW’s.
After the war he returned to Adams as manager, and in 1957 he and Mr. Clyde Hogue purchased the company. He served as president until his retirement in 1999 with 60 years of service.
Mr. Igou was involved in Boy Scouts work for 28 years. In 1986 he was honored by the Earthwatch organization by being names “A Doer” and pictured on the cover of their magazine. A 52-year member of the Chattanooga Lions Club, in 2000 he was voted “Lion of Distinction” and a six diamond member Melvin Jones Fellow and in 1993 the International Lions news magazine did a write up on him. He was also awarded the Chattanooga Civitan Club’s “Citizen of the Year” award. In 1969 he joined the Chattanooga Flyers Club and held every office during the years there.
He was a charter member of the St. John’s United Methodist Church and held numerous offices including chairman of the board, church treasurer, vice-chairman of the first building committee, chairman of trustees, chairman of the Day Care Committee, president of the Church Bond Fund, chairman of the Organ Fund Campaign, chairman of the Pastor-Parish Committee and founder of the Trustees Perpetual Property Maintenance Fund.
An avid outdoorsman, he traveled extensively to hunt and fish in many parts of the world. He flew his own plane to many areas of this hemisphere, including Alaska and Central America in pursuit of his hobby. He was an active member of the volunteer scientific organization “Eartwatch and made 14 expeditions to different foreign countries in this capacity. These and other travels took him to 38 countries and all seven continents. Because of these travels he had numerous travel programs and took great pleasure in presenting them to various clubs and groups.
A celebration of life service will be held on Monday, June 23, at 11 a.m. at the St. John’s United Methodist Church, on Murray Hills Drive. Interment will be private at the Wesley Chapel Methodist Cemetery on Sand Mountain, Ala.
The family will receive friends after the service at the church.
The family wishes to thank Sue Buckner for her years of loving service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Trustees Fund of St. John’s United Methodist Church, 3921 Murray Hills Drive, Chattanooga, Tn. 37416.
Arrangements are by the Valley View Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 7414 Old Lee Highway.
Please share your memories at ChattanoogaValleyViewChapel.com