Judge Tom Stinnett
Retired Chattanooga Bankruptcy Court Judge Robert Thomas "Tom" Stinnett died Tuesday at the age of 72.
Judge Stinnett had retired effective Jan. 3, 2010, after reaching age 65.
The native of Nashville was practicing law in Knoxville with the firm of Stone and Hinds when he was appointed to the Chattanooga post on May 4, 1994.
After serving a 14-year term, he was re-appointed in May 2008.
Judge Stinnett said at the time, "I love the job, but it's time to give somebody else the opportunity to serve."
He handled the Wheland Foundry bankruptcy as well as the Standard-Coosa-Thatcher case and the bankruptcy of Toby McKenzie of Cleveland, Tn.
He graduated from East Nashville High School, then completed the University of Tennessee in 1968. Afterwards, he was commissioned a second-lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He served in Naples, Italy, from 1968-1971.
He returned to UT and completed law school in 1974.
He was married to the former Libby Parrott for 48 years. Her father, Judge James Parrott, was clerk of Federal Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, then was presiding judge of the Tennessee Court of Appeals.
The Stinnett sons are Rob, of Franklin, Tn., and Jay, of Knoxville.
He was past president of the Chattanooga Civitan Club and was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church for over 30 years.
The family said that Judge Stinnett "loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, bridge at the Chattanooga Bridge Center and being with both new and lifelong friends. Tom loved the warmth and sunshine of winters in Mexico and the camaraderie of friends and neighbors he met there. He spent many hours 'holding court' at the pool, winning at poker and bridge and hosting many house guests. Wherever he was on Feb. 29, he always had fun on his leap year birthday and delighted in reminding you that this year was only his 18th birthday. Tom loved life, never met a stranger and relished every new day."
The family will receive friends and celebrate his life Friday at the Mountain City Club, 729 Chestnut St., from 4-6 p.m.
The funeral service will be Monday at 4 p.m. with burial following in the columbarium at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 544 N. Broadway, Knoxville. Friends and family will gather in the fellowship hall following the service to celebrate and share memories of Tom’s life.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson.