J. Don Brock
Dr. J. Don Brock, 76, died on Tuesday, March 10,2015, at Memorial Hospital from complications of mesothelioma cancer.
Don was born in Chattanooga on October 20, 1938, to the late James and Edna Brock and was preceded in death by his sister, Edith Brock Murray. He graduated from Central High School in 1957 and received a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville in 1961. He then continued his education at the Georgia Institute of Technology receiving an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1963 and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering in 1965.
Don started his working career building thermal hot oil heaters and asphalt storage tanks with his dad while in high school. He invented a revolutionary carpet dryer while at Georgia Tech which gave him the seed money to start Astec Industries. He founded Astec with Norm Smith, Al Guth, Gail Mize, and Mike Uchytil in 1972. The company is now publicly traded, has sales of approximately $1 billion dollars, and has over 4,000 employees worldwide. He won countless national and international awards and has over 100 patents. Don was chairman of the board and CEO of Astec until 2014 when his son Ben Brock became CEO of the company. Don remained chairman of the board of Astec until his death.
Mentoring others and exchanging ideas came naturally to Don. He is famous for his repertoire of jokes and his great sense of humor. Besides spending time with his family and friends, other interests included the University of Tennessee football and his dogs, Riley and Bentley.
Don, along with his wife Sam, were founding members of GraceWorks Church in Chattanooga, where they were involved in many facets of the church. Don was passionate for the construction of the cross that is visible to so many as a reminder of Christ's love, sacrifice and forgiveness for all.
Don is survived by his wife, Sam; seven children: Beth Brock; Ben Brock (Carolyn); Walter Brock (Lee Ann) ; Jennifer Brock; Darryl Brock (Melissa); Melissa Adcock (Dustin); Krystal Parker (Lloyd); his two stepdaughters: Christie Gleeson (Tim) and Devin Sprouse (Tammy Lambert), 15 grandchildren, Garrison, Pierce, Payton, Daxton, Clay, Zachary, Austin, Katie, Haven, Taylor, Ashley, Hannah, Daniel, Jacob and Sarahbeth.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 14, at 2 p.m. at the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1505 N. Moore Road, Chattanooga, TN 37411.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in memory of Don payable to GraceWorks Church, 6445 Lee Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37421.
Visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort to the family.
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.