Rex Lee Pendergrass
Rex Lee Pendergrass, 95, of Chattanooga, died on Saturday, April 25, 2015.
He was born July 30, 1919, in Sale Creek, Tn. He attended Central High School in Chattanooga through the 10th grade and went to Kirkman Trade School for electrical training. He married (Mary) Louise Williams in 1939, his wife of 75 years. He worked as an electrician at Curtis Electric in Chattanooga before joining the U.S. Navy in 1944. Rex became a member of the IBEW 175 Electrical Union after being discharged from the Navy. One major electrical project on which he was superintendent was the Hamilton National Bank Building, which is the current home office of First Tennessee Bank in Chattanooga.
The couple had two sons, Ronald and Larry Pendergrass, who both followed in his footsteps as electrical contractors who own their own companies. During World War II, Rex served on the USS Humbolt, which was stationed in North Africa, in Oran, Algiers during 1944-45. He left the Navy as an Electrician’s Mate Third Class. He was an avid fisherman, a Boy Scout leader, and a long-time member and deacon of Suck Creek Baptist Church, where he was also a Sunday School teacher. He enjoyed joking and was well-known for bringing smiles and laughs to many people with his witty banter.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Carrie (Smith) Pendergrass, and father, Brutus Elmer Pendergrass and his brother, Ross Pendergrass.
Survivors include his wife, Louise Pendergrass, his two sons, Ron and Larry Pendergrass, two daughters-in-law, Bernadette (Lagocki) Pendergrass and Linda (McGaughey) Pendergrass, sister, Helen (Pendergrass) Wood, seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren (with one on the way).
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28, in the chapel of Lane Funeral Home 601 Ashland Terrace with Rev. Stephen Kellogg and Reverend Randy Chesnutt officiating. Interment will be in Chattanooga National Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. on Monday, April 27, at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, at the family’s request, memorial contributions may be made to Suck Creek Baptist Church, 2721 Suck Creek Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37405-9739.
Condolences may be sent to www.lanefh.com.
Arrangements are by Lane Funeral Home 601 Ashland Terrace, 877-3524.