Carlyle Elliott
Thomas Carlyle “Top Cat” Elliott, 83, of Hixson, an athlete, scholar, musician, leader and devoted Christian, died on Wednesday, August 5, 2009.
Carlyle was born January 17, 1926 in Hixson. He graduated from Hixson High School, and received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
He was the captain of the baseball team, held memberships in the UT Letterman’s Club and Kappa Sigma fraternity, Chattanooga Old Timers Hall of Fame and was the owner of Martin Thompson Sporting Goods.
Carlyle served our country during World War II in the Army Air Force. “Top Cat” was a wonderful educator at Elbert Long Elementary School, served as principal at Tyner Junior High, Sale Creek and Ooltewah High Schools and was the assistant superintendent for many years in Hamilton County.
Carlyle was a member of many educational organizations, the ETA, NEA and HCEA and held offices in them. He was a charter member of Wesley United Methodist Church and currently a member at Hixson United Methodist Church. Carlyle was a member of Hixson Masonic Lodge.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Thelma Scogin Elliott; daughter, Judy Elliott and son-in-law, Richard Ryon.
Carlyle is survived by his children, Carlene Ryon, David (Melinda) Elliott, Teena (Philip) Camp and Forrest (Margo) Scogin; grandchildren, Ragan (Price) Chambers, Tommy(Angela) Ryon, Scott and Elise Elliott and Melody and Allen Scogin; great-grandson, Jesse Chambers and great-granddaughters, Maddie and Emily; brother, Robert Elliott; several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. on Friday at the North Chapel and 11 a.m.-noon on Saturday at Hixson United Methodist Church.
Services for Carlyle will be held at noon on Saturday, Aug. 8, at Hixson United Methodist Church with Rev. Randy Martin and Mrs. Diane Stocker, CLP officiating. Burial will follow in Hamilton Memorial Gardens with military honors.
Serving as pallbearers are Randy Ragan, Wes Boyd, Philip Hedgepath, Bill Esch, Howie Sompayrac and Ryan Townsend, and honorary pallbearers are Gus Manning, Haywood Harris, Buck Johnson and Tim Gooden.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Carlyle’s name to Hospice of Chattanooga, P.O. Box 19269, Chattanooga, Tn. 37416, or Hixson United Methodist Church, 5301 Old Hixson Pike, Hixson, Tn. 37343.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist.
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