Cecil Aldridge
Cecil Dorman Aldridge, 88, of Harrison, Tn., died on October 1, 2008.
He was a devoted husband, loving father, and a man of strong faith. He was a kind and gentle man who loved his family and his Lord. In the course of his life, he touched many lives and was a wonderful role model for everyone he met. He was always quick with a smile and loved doing for others and did so with a sweet spirit. He will be greatly missed by those who loved him.
Mr. Aldridge graduated from Berry School and enlisted in the United States Army in July of 1940. He served in World War II in the European theater in England, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg where he served as a medic with the Medical Detachment of the 12th Engineer Combat Battalion, 8th Infantry Division.
He was awarded numerous medals while serving and received a battlefield commission to 2nd Lieutenant in the Medical Administrative Corp. After completing his tour of duty, he returned home in August of 1945 and remained in the U.S. Army Reserve. He was called to active duty during the Korean Conflict and was stationed at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Al. He remained in the U.S. Army Reserve until he retired as a Major in 1968.
After returning from the war, Mr. Aldridge received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Chattanooga. While attending UC, he worked at the Brainerd Drug Store.
He began his teaching career with the Chattanooga City Schools in 1952 where he taught 6th grade at Eastdale Elementary School. After school each day he would deliver papers for the Chattanooga News Free Press.
In 1961, he was named principal of Eastdale Elementary School. While teaching and serving as principal he coached the boys Knothole team. In 1970 he was named principal of Dalewood Junior High School where he stayed until 1974. He was then named principal of Washington Elementary School where he remained until his retirement in January of 1988.
Mr. Aldridge also served in many capacities with the Dalewood Lakeside Lions Club. Between 1997-2004 he served as representative to the Hamilton County Lion Sight Service Association, visiting homes to verify the needs of eyeglasses each month; served three terms as president of the club; served over five years as the club’s representative to the Operation Kidsight Outreach and was chairman of the committee that screens children’s eyes for sight problems.
He received numerous awards with the Lions Club: Club Lion of the Year 1985-1986; District Lion of the Decade 1997-2006; Club Lion of the Decade 1985-1996; and was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellow honor in 1992.
Mr. Aldridge had been active in the Eastdale United Methodist Church and the St. John United Methodist Church. He taught Sunday School and was involved in various committees and activities in both churches. He currently was a member of St. John United Methodist Church.
Mr. Aldridge is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Edna Evans Aldridge; two sons, C.D. (Debby) Aldridge, Jr. and Barry (Martha) Aldridge; two daughters, Deb Aldridge and Sharon (Steve) Parham; nine grandchildren, Mike Aldridge, Amy (Jeremy) Kennedy, Becky (Jeff) Goodlet, Elysia (Stuart) Belva, Evan (Rachel) Aldridge, Courtney Parham, Jerritt Patterson, Bryan Daniel, and Lauren Aldridge; two great-grandchildren, Brooke Aldridge and Kollin Kennedy; and a host of additional relatives and friends.
A celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, at the St. John United Methodist Church with Rev. Sherry Boles officiating.
The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 1 p.m.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, at the Chattanooga National Cemetery. The procession to the cemetery will leave the funeral home at 12:30 p.m.
Pallbearers are Jeremy Kennedy, Stuart Belva, Jeff Goodlet, Earl McDowell, Fritz Vetterick, and John Moore. Honorary pallbearers are members of the Dalewood Lakeside Lions Club.
Visit www.Heritagefh.com to view the Memorial Tribute and share condolences.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: Memorial Fund at St. John UMC, 3921 Murray Hills Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416, or Kidsight Outreach Program, Tennessee Lions Charity Inc., 505 Fesslers Lane, Nashville, TN 37210.
The family will also receive friends on Saturday from 2-8 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, Tn.