John (Jack) Smith Peagler, 87, of Oak Ridge, passed away Wednesday, October 17, 2012. He was surrounded by loved ones. He is survived by his wife, Mary Anne, also of Oak Ridge; his daughters Melanie Emendorfer (Bill) of Athens, TN and Tricia Aquadro of Memphis; as well as his grandchildren Heidi Foss (Andy) of Knoxville, Zach Peagler (Shana) of Birmingham, Brad Emendorfer (Kristi) of Cleveland, TN, Al Butler (Kylie) of San Diego, California, Nick Butler (Kerry) of Jacksonville, NC, Meagan Jung (Jason) of St. Louis, Rainey McConnell (Matt) of Knoxville, and Matt Peagler of Wilmington, NC, and 11 Great Grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Joe Peagler.
Jack served his country in World War II in the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army and returned home to earn his degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He married the love of his life, Mary Anne in 1949 and the two were married for 63 years. Jack worked in marketing for General Electric in Schenectady, New York and Erie, Pennsylvania and retired in 1985. The couple moved to Oak Ridge that year to be closer to their children and grandchildren and have remained in Oak Ridge since that time.
Jack will be greatly missed, but the family is comforted by the knowledge that he is reunited with God and his family and friends that have gone before him.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 11:00AM at St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Oak Ridge. Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of the arrangements. www.holleygamblefh.com.