Dennis Edward Ledford, Jr.

Notes:

PINEY FLATS - Dennis Edward Ledford, Jr., age 51, of Piney Flats, went home to meet his heavenly father on Monday, January 7, 2019.

Dennis was born in Johnson City, Tennessee to Dennis Edward Ledford, Sr. and Jana Ruth Sadler Simpson. He was preceded in death by his step-father, James Simpson; and his father-in-law, Jimmie Dale Mann.

Dennis was a knight in shining armor, a devoted husband and a loving father, who had a big heart. He graduated from Daniel Boone High School in 1985, he earned a Bachelor degree in Business and Applied Science and was a recent graduate of King University, where he earned his Master's degree in Business Administration. Dennis was employed at Bell Helicopter as a lead overhaul mechanic and was also a teacher at Northeast State Community College, where he taught General Mechanics, he previously worked as a heavy equipment mechanic at J & B Fast Freight and was owner and operator of Ledford and Sons Collision. Dennis was a member of Celebration Church of Blountville, where he served as a greeter, Life Group leader and member of Oil Change Ministries. Dennis also loved working on classic cars and doing home projects.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of twenty eight years, Carolyn Janette Mann Ledford, of the home; three children, Neil Ledford and wife Carrie, of Jonesborough, Allison Ledford, of Johnson City, and Jared Ledford, of the home; his father, Dennis Ledford, Sr. and wife Donna, of Boones Creek; his mother, Jana Simpson, of Gray; one sister, Jennifer France and husband Dean, of Jonesborough; a half-brother, Dale Ledford and wife Shannon, of Johnson City; his mother-in-law, Janette Mann, of Elizabethton; two sisters-in-law, Teresa Treadway, of Elizabethton and Lisa Germaine and husband Dan, of Elizabethton. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

A service to celebrate the life of Dennis Edward Ledford, Jr. will be conducted at 8:00 PM on Friday, January 11, 2019 in the Chapel of Peace at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton with Pastor Robert Russell, officiating. Music will be provided by Mr. Chuck Odum, soloist and Elisa Comer, pianist. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM in the funeral home chapel, prior to the service on Friday.

The graveside service will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at Happy Valley Memorial Park with Pastor Josh Banks, officiating. Active pallbearers will be Dan Potter, Eric Henley, Todd Tipton, Jerry Meiers, Tim Sharrett, Keith Glover, Dan Germaine and Dean France. Honorary pallbearers will be Bell Overhaul Shop, Life Group members, neighbors, and Douglas Boyd. Those wishing to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton at 10:15 AM on Saturday, to go in procession.

The family would like to especially thank friends, family and neighbors for their love and support. Also, Bell Helicopter employees, the members of Celebration Church, the faculty and staff of King University and Northeast State Community College and the employees of Food City.

Dennis married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Neil Thomas Ledford, age 28, of Bristol, Virginia, went home to meet his Heavenly Father on Monday, December 5th, 2022. Neil was born in Johnson City, Tennessee to Carolyn (Mann) Ledford Good of Elizabethton, Tennessee and the late Dennis Edward Ledford Jr. Tennessee. In addition to his father, Neil is preceded in death by his grandfather, Jimmie Dale Mann, and his step grandfather, James Simpson.

Neil was a faithful friend, with a kind, loving spirit and a very giving heart. He was good natured, funny, and loved his family very much, always making sure that they were taken care of and had what they needed.

From a young age, Neil displayed a wonderful work ethic and an interest in electronics, spending one summer working with NASA’s INSPIRE Nanotechnology Research program in San Juan, Puerto Rico through the STEM program at Oklahoma State University. After high school, Neil went on to work with the Avionics Department at Bell Helicopter, earning a five year achievement medal for his exceptional work and dedication.

Neil loved photography and had a lifelong passion for fast cars, participating in local cars shows as an active member of Tri-Cities Cars and Coffee Club After Dark with his own Dodge Charger. He was also a member of Civil Air Patrol, graduating as a Cadet Major, and was a member of Celebration Church. In his spare time, Neil also enjoyed geology and hiking.

Those left to remember and cherish Neil’s memory include his mother, Carolyn Ledford Good and her husband Sean Good, of Elizabethton; his sister, Allison Ledford Davies and her husband Harry Davies, of Kingsport; his brother, Jared Ledford, of Jonesborough; his grandparents, Janette Mann, of Elizabethton, Jana Simpson, of Johnson City, and Dennis Ledford Sr. and his wife, Donna Graybeal Ledford, of Gray; his uncle, Dale Ledford, of Johnson City; and his aunts, Teresa Treadway, Lisa Germaine, and her husband Dan Germaine, all of Elizabethton; and Jennifer Ledford France and her husband Dean, of Jonesborough. Several other extended family members also survive.

A service to honor and celebrate Neil’s life and memory will be conducted at 1:00 PM on Saturday, December 10, 2022 in the Chapel of Peace at Tetrick Funeral Home in Elizabethton, Tennessee with Pastor Robert Russell of Celebration Church officiating. The family will receive friends from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM in the funeral home chapel, prior to the service on Saturday.

The graveside service will follow at Happy Valley Memorial Park with Pastor Josh Banks of Shepherd’s Rock Bible Church officiating. Active pallbearers will be Harry Davies, Chris Birchfield, Tim Compton, Caleb Meade, Dale Ledford, and Kurt Germaine. Neil’s friends and coworkers from Bell Helicopter will serve as honorary pallbearers.