Larry Dewayne Putnam
Larry Dewayne Putnam, of East Ridge, passed away on the morning of December 15, 2021, at the age of 85.
Larry was born April 15, 1936, in Chattanooga, to Mamie May and L.B. Putnam.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 51 years, Patsy Pope Putnam, his parents, his Grandparents, Henry H and Lula Levan May of Chattanooga and Will and Fannie Stephenson Putnam of Jacksonville, Alabama.
Larry was a lifetime resident of Chattanooga. He was a 40-year member of Ridgedale United Methodist Church where he served in numerous capacities including Lay Leader and Choir Director. In April of 1991 he moved his membership to Jones Memorial and was still a member there at the time of his passing.
Larry was a 1954 graduate of Central High School prior to receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting in 1958 from the University of Chattanooga. While a student at UC, he was honored by his peers by being elected president of the freshman, sophomore and junior classes. During his senior year he was elected president of the student body as well as named the Bachelor of Ugliness (Mr. UC). Larry participated in the Blue Key National Honor Society and was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity where he served as president his junior year. He also participated in the ROTC program and received his Second Lieutenant commission with the U.S. Army where he served two years in active duty.
Upon his return to Chattanooga in 1961 he began work in the Trust Department at Pioneer Bank. In 1974 he was asked to start a Trust Department for the newly created Commerce Union bank where he worked as the executive vice president and group manager of Trust and Investments until his retirement in 1997.
During his lifetime Larry served on numerous service and professional boards including the following: Chattanooga Opera Association (President), Chattanooga Estate Planning Council (President), Moccasin Bend Girl Scout Council, Chattanooga Boys’ Choir, Girls Club, Inc., Chattanooga Epilepsy Board, Lambda Chi Alpha Alumni Association (President), Chattanooga Chapter-America Institute of Bankers (President). He also diligently served on the board of several corporate boards such as Benton Oil Service, Inc., Herman Grant Company, Brock & Blevins, Inc., and Kickoff Publishing Company.
Larry is survived by his children and grandchildren, Michael (Ruth) Putnam, Michele (Anthony) Holtz, Michael Wilkins, Michaela and Megan Wilkins, Allison Putnam, William and Tonilynn Holtz.
Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday at Chattanooga National Cemetery with military honors. The family will receive friends from 2-6 p.m. on Sunday at the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 404 South Moore Road.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com.