Tommy Jett
Chattanooga broadcast legend Thomas Wayne Reynolds Jett, “Tommy Jett,” passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, at the age of 77.
Tommy was born on July 26, 1940, to the late James Grady and Annie Frances Reynolds. He attended DeKalb County High School in Smithville, Tn., and Mid-South Announcing School in Nashville. He began his broadcasting career in Waycross, Ga., and in 1961, Tommy became a household name as he began his career at WFLI-AM 1070 in Chattanooga as “the fastest Jet in the air.” He also worked at WDOD and WDXB radio stations. On May 4, 2013, Tommy was inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame. In his younger days, he loved to play golf and raise money for charities, such as the Walker County Stocking Full of Love. Tommy served in the Tennessee Army National Guard for several years, and with his strong Christian faith, his love for music and helping others was evident through the very end.
In addition to his parents, Tommy was preceded in death by his siblings, Wash Nixon Reynolds, James Hopson Reynolds, and Marin Starr Reynolds Becvar.
Survivors include his loving wife of 37 years, Charlene Botts Reynolds Jett; children, Chad and Chandra Brackett; grandchildren, Jacob, Krista, Chase, & Kayci; great-grandchildren, Brody Brackett and Bailey Freeman; brother, Grady Edward Reynolds; several nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.
A celebration of Tommy’s life will be held on Sunday, April 29, at 2 p.m. in the South Crest Chapel with Ralph Vaughn, Johnny Eagle, Jerry Pond, Earl Freudenberg, and others eulogizing. Interment services with military honor will be held Monday at 10:00 a.m. at Lakewood Memory Gardens, South. Ben Cagle, Jerry Pond, Chip Chapman, Johnny Eagle, Sheriff Steve Wilson, David Carroll, Anthony Hudgins and Earl Freudenberg will serve as pallbearers. Nick Smith, Zolly Cantrell, Randy, Danny and Alfred Botts, as well as Chattanooga area broadcasters, will serve as honorary pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Walker County Stocking Full of Love.
Please share expressions of sympathy at lane-southcrestchapel.com.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, April 28th from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home & Crematory, at the end of historic Missionary Ridge, Rossville.