Rodolph "Rody" B. Davenport III
Rodolph "Rody" B. Davenport III, former chairman of the Chattanooga-based Krystal Company, a longtime philanthropist and civic leader, died Tuesday morning at his home on Lookout Mountain. He was 82.
Mr. Davenport was a quiet - but passionate - philanthropist leaving his mark on numerous projects in Chattanooga, Chickamauga, Ga., Highlands/Cashiers, N.C., Indian River, Fla., and Marco Island, Fla. including the Chattanooga Public Education Foundation, Allied Arts (former chairman of board), AIM Center, Chattanooga Community Kitchen, Chattanooga Zoo, McCallie School, Changed Lives, Hospice of Chattanooga, Lula Lake Land Trust, Siskin Children's Institute, Tennessee Aquarium, United Way and many more.
He was a member of Vision 2000 – precursor for the 21st Century Project for Chattanooga. He attended the McCallie School where he later served on the board. Mr. Davenport was recognized as the school's distinguished alumna in 1991. He graduated from Washington and Lee University. He was an avid outdoorsman – enjoying quail hunting, fishing and golf. He was a founding member of the Honors Golf Course in Ooltewah, TN and a member of the Lookout Mtn. Golf Club. He was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga.
Mr. Davenport was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Lupton Davenport; brother, Robert M. “Bobby” Davenport and sister in law, Helen Smith Davenport; brother, Gordon L. Davenport; sister, Jane D. Jansen and his step-grandson, John T. Fontaine, Jr.
Survivors are his wife, Clara F. Davenport; daughter, Lisa Davenport, Maui, Hawaii; two sons, Rodolph B. “Rody” Davenport, IV (Karen) and William “Bill” Davenport (Bruce Wiltsie), all of St. Michaels, Md.; two step sons, George Fontaine (Celia) and Jack Fontaine (Nancy) all of Houston, Tex.; step daughter, Darlene Lane-Detman, Chattanooga; sister, Mary Davenport, Nashville; brother-in-law, Bill Jansen, San Francisco; sister-in-law, Leland Davenport, Chattanooga; grandchildren, Jason Davenport (Kelley), Mary Elizabeth Davenport, Malinda Wilson (Steve), Jay Davenport, Neal Crutchfield, Jr, George Fontaine, Jr. (Melissa), Ryan Fontaine, Cartter Fontaine, Harris Fontaine and Elizabeth L. Fontaine; nine great-grandchildren and numerous loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Very special thanks to his longtime assistant and friend, Frances Cannon and longtime employees Charles Russell, Sharon King and Eugene Penn.
Funeral services will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. at McCallie School with Dr. Michael Milton and Ben Haden officiating.
Burial will follow at Forest Hills Cemetery with Gordon Davenport, Bobby Davenport, Elliott Davenport, Elliot Davenport Jr., Hume Davenport and Clay Taylor serving as pallbearers.
The family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Chattanooga, First Presbyterian Church World Missions, McCallie School or Changed Lives.
The family would like to thank Dr. Terry Melvin and all of the staff at Hospice of Chattanooga.
Visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort to the family.
The family will receive friends Friday from 4-7 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.