James "Bud" Dove
James Cecil “Bud” Dove, 86, a longtime resident of Chattanooga, died on Tuesday, April 5, 2016, in a local health care facility.
He was born on Oct. 21, 1929, in Meridian, Ms.
Bud retired from Norfolk Southern Railroad after 40 years of service. He was a third generation of Railroad retirees. His grandfather was a retired machinist for Southern Railway, and his father was retired as a General Road Forman of Engineers for Southern Railway.
He was a veteran of the United States Army and a member of the Chattanooga-Dalewood-Lakeside Lions Club as well as Gideons International. He was also an active member of Ridgedale Baptist Church and the Corner Stone Sunday School Class, as he loved the Lord and his church family. He enjoyed being involved in all church functions whether it was cooking hundreds of hot dogs, or as a door greeter on Sundaymornings. His smile brightened many hearts.
Bud loved his family. He coached ball teams for his children growing up, and stories are still told by their friends of the impact he had on their lives with both admiration and laughter. He loved seeing his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren happy, and to succeed and reach their goals.
Bud’s hobbies were golf, hunting, fishing, gardening, and all sports, especially the Tennessee Vols. He enjoyed his mornings with those he referred to as “The Hardee Boys”; their fellowship involved solving the world’s problems over biscuits, gravy and coffee.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Adrian Kennedy Dove.
Survivors include his wife of 26 years, Eva Lively Dove; five children, Kathy Dove (Jeff) Campbell of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee; Kerry (Cindy) Dove of Nolensville, Tennessee; Kevin (Mickie) Dove, of Knoxville, Tennessee; Karla Dove Wright of Anchorage, Alaska; Kelley (Roxana) Dove of Readyville, Tennessee; one stepdaughter, Sherry Dillard (Phillip) Sons, of Chattanooga; one sister, Jean (Earl) Parchert of Trophy Club, Texas; 14 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, and many friends.
Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, April 8, at 1 p.m. in the East Brainerd Chapel with Dr. Bill Owens, Dr. Doug Plumlee, and Reverend Chad Poe officiating. Burial will follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery.
Honorary pallbearers will be the Corner Stone Sunday School Class and the “Hardee Boys”.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 7, from 4-7 p.m. at the funeral home.
The family wishes to thank his doctors, CHI Memorial Hospital and Hospice of Chattanooga for their care and services to Bud.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ridgedale Baptist Church, 1831 Hickory Valley Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421; or to Chattanooga-Dalewood-Lakeside Lions Club #5013, 2315 Shallowford Village Drive, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421.
Arrangements are by the East Brainerd Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 8214 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastBrainerdChapel.com.