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- John Norman Tester, of 236 Willow Circle, Mountain City, TN, passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer at the Johnson City Medical Center on February 20, 2015.
He was born in Neva, Tennessee, on July 20, 1940 to Henry Clay and Nellie Raydell Tester. He lived several years in Kingsport, Tennessee, and later lived in Mountain City, where he graduated from Johnson County High School in 1958.
Upon graduation he entered the U.S. Army and retired in 1979 as an SFC. His commendations include the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Army Commendation, Good Conduct, National Defense, RVN Gallantry Cross and Meritorious Service among others.
He was a member of the Taylorsville Lodge 243 F&AM Freemasons. After retirement from the U.S. Army, he worked several years for the Johnson County Sheriff's Department and at the Northeast Correctional Center, where he retired as a Sergeant.
An avid sports enthusiast, he coached Little League football and also was an assistant coach at Johnson County Middle School for several winning seasons.
But most importantly he was a Christian and family man. He served as an elder at the Mountain City Presbyterian Church for many years and was much loved by his church family.
He had many interesting hobbies, the last of which was "Norm's Coca-Cola Room," where he enjoyed many sunny and happy visits with family and friends.
Norm always cherished living at home in the mountains of Johnson County and his home was his haven and heaven on earth.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Mary Lou Meade and Josephine Meade.
Survivors include his wife of forty-seven years, Sherry Tester; son, Tim Tester and wife, Barbara, of Bristol, VA; daughter, Bridget Wagner and husband, Shannon, of Fernandina Beach, FL; one grandson, USAF Staff Sgt. Michael Westberry; six granddaughters, Brittney Westberry, Brooke Westberry, Madison Tester, Natalie, Carly and Isabella Wagner; two great-grandchildren, Kyleigh and Ariona. Also surviving are three nephews, one niece, and several cousins, as well as a very special mother-in-law, Stella Blankenbeckler.
Services will be conducted at the Mountain City Presbyterian Church on Tuesday February 24, 2015, at 7:00 PM. Officiating ministers will be Rev. Warren Stewart, Dr. Thomas R. Peake, and Rev. James Swoager. Masonic funeral rites will be provided by the Taylorsville Masonic Lodge. Music will be provided by Lois Dunn and Brandy Bowers.
Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the church.
Graveside services will be conducted on Wednesday February 25, 2015, at 1:00 PM at the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church cemetery, with military honors accorded by the Johnson County Honor Guard. Honorary pallbearers will be James Blankenbeckler, Dr. James Shine, Dr. Flint Gray, Bill Brookshire, Rudd Martin Jr., Frank Osborne Jr., Bob Heck, Doran Swift, men of the Mountain City Presbyterian Church and neighborhood men of Willow Circle. Active pallbearers will be Jerry White, Joe Winebarger, Greg Meade, David Shepherd, Rick Courtner, Kenny Osborne and Joey Falls.
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1940 - 2015 (74 years)
