Charles Louis Priddy, 84, passed peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, on Sunday January 10.
He was born in Soddy on July 12, 1936, to Morris and Leila (McRee) Priddy and was a lifelong Chattanooga resident and long-time member of Hixson United Methodist Church.
Louis was a member of the Soddy High School Class of 1954 and earned degrees from King College and the Presbyterian School of Christian Education. His lifetime of ministry and service began with the Bristol Boys Club while attending King. Following graduation he served as Minister of Youth and Recreation at two Presbyterian churches in Memphis before becoming Tennessee State Director for the March of Dimes.
Louis returned to Chattanooga where his passions for people, service, and running eventually led him to open Front Runner Athletics in Hixson, which he owned and operated for over twenty years. The Front Runner became an informal ministry and provided shoes and financial support for Big Oak Boys Ranch, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Northside Neighborhood House, among others. It would not be much of a stretch to say that over the years he gave away as many pairs of shoes as he sold. Louis was more than just a donor, investing countless hours in support of worthy causes, including organizing and directing fund-raising runs for Big Oak and FCA and volunteering at local track, cross country and soccer events.
He served on the board of directors for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Chattanooga Track Club, Northside Neighborhood House, and the North River YMCA, and is a member of the Soddy Daisy High School and Chattanooga Sports Halls of Fame.
Survivors include his loving wife of 57 years, Sandra (Brown) Priddy, son Wade (Debbie) Priddy and daughter Laura (Ron) Pope, sister Reita Adams, grandchildren Andy and Bailey Priddy and Evan and Wesley Pope, brother-in-law Harold Plumlee, and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will have a private graveside service in the coming days. A celebration of life service will be held when conditions allow Louis’ many friends to gather and tell funny stories and let him be the center of attention one last time. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Big Oak Ranch, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Hixson Methodist Church, or Northside Neighborhood House.