Jerome "Jerry" Carlton Violette died on March 23, 2020, in Chattanooga, Tn. He was born on October 22, 1938, in China, Maine.
He grew up in Winslow, Maine, and graduated from Winslow High School where he played football, basketball, and baseball. He received a U.S. Navy ROTC scholarship to attend the University of Rochester in New York, where he graduated in 1960 with a degree in chemical engineering. He played football and baseball for the U of R Yellow Jackets. He played center for the Yellow Jackets’ football team, who went undefeated in 1958 and 1959. He was named Outstanding Lineman both seasons. As a Sophomore, he had 33 consecutive shut-out innings as a relief pitcher. He was inducted into the U of R Hall of Fame for sports in 1998 and remained an avid fan of all sports for the rest of his life.
After serving three years in the Navy, he began his 42-year career with DuPont de Nemours, in Beaumont, TX, where he met his future wife Peggy. His career took them to Delaware, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, France, and Tennessee. During their stay in France, he developed a passion for the art of winemaking and was inducted into the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin in Nuits-St.-Georges, France. Since Jerry’s retirement, he and Peggy were able to enjoy several interesting trips. There were tours to Italy with one special trip to Sicily, along with trips to the Holy Land, Portugal, and Ireland, and many visits and trips with good friends in France. Jerry was very pleased to have visited Fatima in Portugal.
He ended his career as manager of the DuPont plant in Chattanooga, where he remained for the rest of his life. A devout Catholic, he participated in daily devotion and communion, charitable giving, community service, and in service to his family. During retirement, he continued to grow in his Catholic faith through study and participation in RCIA and the Legion of Mary.
He had an insatiable curiosity for science, math and technology, including troubleshooting many of his friends’ computers as a popular hobby after retirement. He passed on the importance of education by providing his children and four other young people the opportunity to attend college. He loved cars, sports, and food of all kinds.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Alice Violette, an infant sister, Marilyn, a brother, Norman Violette, and an infant son, Jeffrey Violette.
He is survived by Peggy, his wife of 55 years; his children, Katherine Violette (Greg Hames), James Violette (Melanie), John Violette (Mari Bower), and Emily Violette; and seven grandchildren, Patrick, Alex, Andrew, Nathan, Mike, Louis, and Charlotte.
Since there is a restriction on gatherings of any kind at this time, the family will plan a memorial to celebrate his life as soon as possible.
Donations in his memory should be made to St. Jude Church, 930 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, TN 37415-3554, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are by Hamilton Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 4506 Hixson Pike, Hixson, 423 531-3975.