Mr. Fernon Retzer

Fernon Retzer, age 90 of Ooltewah, passed away Thursday, April 05, 2012 in a local healthcare facility. He was born November 12, 1921 in Bowdle, South Dakota to Karl and Maria Retzer. He moved to Lodi, CA with his parents in 1932. After graduating from Pacific Union College with a theology degree, he began pastoral ministry for the Seventh-day Adventist church in the Northern California Conference. He married Dorothy Mae Nelson on November 26, 1944. He was ordained at the Northern California Conference camp meeting in 1948 with Elder R. R. Fighur, General Conference President, preaching the ordination sermon. In 1949, Fernon and Dorothy, with two young sons, Gordon and Gerry, went to Barranquilla, Colombia, to serve as missionaries in the Inter-American Division. He was president of the Colombia Mission and later served as President of the Colombia-Venezuela Union. Daughter Doreen was born in Ontario, Canada, while the family was on furlough visiting Dorothy’s parents, Walter and Eva Nelson. Son Richard, was born in Medellin, Columbia.

After serving as President of the Central America Union in San Jose, Costa Rica, Fernon Retzer became Sabbath School Director for the Inter-American Division with headquarters in Miami, Florida. In 1966 he was asked to be an associate Sabbath School Director for the General Conference and later became GC Sabbath School Director. In 1975 he became Sabbath School-Religious Liberty Director for the Southern Union. He retired in 1986 after 41 ½ years of ministry. In retirement he worked with Mission Spotlight for four years.

Fernon Retzer is known around the world to Adventists as a dynamic, friendly, cheerful, and positive leader. We look forward to seeing his million-dollar smile when he is resurrected by his friend Jesus. He was a very caring and loving husband, father, and grandpa.

Fernon Retzer was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Nelson Retzer, who died August 5, 2007.

He is survived by his sister, Delores Buller, and his brother, Harvey Retzer; four children, Gordon (Cheryl), Gerry, Doreen (Steve), and Richard; six grand children: Carisa (Craig), Tim (Kyla), Cara (Chad),Steve Allen, (Octavia), Amy (Tyler), Kip; and seven great grand children: Cassie, Christian, Sydney, Emmaline, Aiden, Emma, Malaki.

The family will receive friends Saturday from 2-3 p.m. at Ooltewah Seventh-Day Adventist Church with funeral services to begin at 3:00 p.m. Pastor Mike Pettengill will officiate.

In lieu of flowers he requested donations to Voice of Prophecy and It Is Written.

Arrangements are by the Valley View Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 7414 Old Lee Highway, Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaValleyViewChapel.com.