Larry D. Dempsey, 76, of Ooltewah, Tennessee, passed away on Friday, October 22, 2021.
Larry was born and raised in Chattanooga. He was the son of the late Carrie Thomas Noah and Arthur “Shaky” Noah. He attended Kirkman High School and Cleveland State Community College. Larry worked at Chattanooga Glass Company and the TNT Plant before joining The Chattanooga Police Department in 1968. He worked in various divisions such as Patrol, Narcotics, Homicide, Auto Theft and Burglary before retiring with the rank of Detective/Sergeant in 2000. Afterwards, he also worked as a police officer for Erlanger Health Systems. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, Rock City Lodge.
He is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Kelly Richie Dempsey; son and daughter-in-law, Timothy and Tiffany Gail Dempsey; twin daughters, Sonya Dempsey and Tonya Dempsey; brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Judy Dempsey; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Sharon and Joe Knowles, Diane Gilstrap (Doug) and Beverly and Rick Roberts; special cousin, Crandell and Joann Corbin; special great nephews, Harrison and Bennett Ehorn; many other relatives and in-laws including nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
The family would like to thank Debra Hogan for her exemplary care of Larry for the last three months. Words cannot express the gratitude we feel towards you. Thank you so much for the great care you gave to him. You are now our family and we love you. We would also like to like to thank Hearth Hospice for their wonderful assistance, specifically Molly, Misty, Kara and Janet.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Larry’s name to The Forgotten Child Fund, PO Box 5932, Chattanooga, TN 37406 or The Humane Educational Society, 4155 Randolph Circle, Chattanooga, TN 37406.
Please visit www.heritagechattanooga.com to share words of comfort to the family.
A celebration of life service will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11, in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Jimmy Carl Ball officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 3-6 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.