LaRue Nelson "Chick" DeBord

DeBord, LaRue Nelson "Chick", born September 20, 1927, passed peacefully from this life to the next in the loving hands of his daughters and son-in-law on Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at Ben Atchley Veterans Home following a brief illness. He has joined Betty, his wife of 58 years and the love of his life, who went before him in 2010 – exactly two years to the day. He is also preceded in this newest chapter of eternal life by his father, mother, sisters, brother-in-law, and many other extended family members. Chick was born in Knoxville, TN to Walter and Mary Lou DeBord and was the youngest of three children, older sisters Juanita and Nadine. As a teenager, Chick helped to build Marble City Baptist Church and later, as a young family man, was a charter member of Cumberland Baptist Church. He graduated from Old Knoxville High School, attended UTK where he was a "walk-on" with the football team, was a member of the Air Force Band just as WWII was ending, and spent a 4-decade career with Western Auto Supply Co. where he became a District Sales Manager; after his retirement, he served on the Board of Directors of The Meadows Condominiums for many years. He leaves his two daughters, Suzanne and Sandra, one very special "son", Edward, niece, Becki and her husband, A.G. Karnes and family, and three beloved grandsons, Chris, Nick, & Evan, who grew up building tree houses, fishing, and playing endlessly with "Grand-Dad." He loved the TN Vols, his membership at Central Baptist Church of Bearden, and helping those who were truly in need. He will be missed yet will remain to all who loved and knew him as a model of what God meant for fathers to represent here on earth. Visitation from 6-8 PM on Friday, July 13, at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel, Kingston Pike; Worship Service at Central Baptist Church of Bearden on Saturday, July 14 at 10:00 am with interment to follow at Highland Memorial Cemetery. Pallbearers: Edward, Chris, Nick, and Evan Cantey; great nephews, Michael and Grant Karnes. Memorials may be made to Central Baptist Church of Bearden, 6300 Deane Hill Drive, Knoxville, TN 37919. Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel. Online condolences may be made at www.rosemortuary.com

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LaRue Nelson "Chick" DeBord

September 20, 1927 - July 11, 2012