Clyde Millard Whisenant Jr.

“Daddy-O” was born in Tampa, Florida, on July 8, 1926, to Hazel Frost and Clyde M. Whisenant, Sr., and passed away and went to his heavenly home on April 5, 2016 at the age of 89 after living the majority of life in East Ridge, Tennessee. His beloved wife Alma Jane Secor Whisenant preceded him in death in 1982.

Clyde worked for General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC) for 12 years and soon after took his test to become a real estate broker. He retired as a real estate broker in 2000 after having worked for Hale Realty and then Realty Center Better Homes and Gardens. In later life, he did contract work for 12 years for Avis/Budget Car Rental at Chattanooga’s Lovell Field Airport. He eagerly worked up to two weeks prior to his death.

He was an Army veteran of World War II serving in Europe as a rifleman and then ambulance driver and was awarded the Bronze Star for his service and the rank of Permanent Sergeant Major. Later in life, he received the Diplôme of Recognition from the French Government for his participation in the Normandy liberation. After World War II, he joined the United States Air Force Reserves and was called back into active duty during the Korean conflict. After completion of Engineering School at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, he was stationed at USAF Strategic Air Command (SAC) in Puerto Rico where he mapped coordinates for missile stations in the Antilles.

Clyde was a graduate of Red Bank High School and the University of Chattanooga (1950), obtaining a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in accounting. He was a member of the first pledge class of the Zeta Phi chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity on the Chattanooga campus. He was also a long-time member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Alma, his brother and best friend Charles and his wife Clara, and the second love of his life Tina Williams. He also was preceded in death by his two half brothers Don Whisenant (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) and Pete Whisenant (New Orleans, Louisiana).

He is survived by four children: Arthur Clyde Whisenant (Chattanooga), Lydia Whisenant (Ooltewah), Dr. Ethan Charles Whisenant, PhD (Front Royal, Virginia) and Melanie Whisenant Brannan (Ooltewah); nephew John (Debbie) Whisenant and nieces Jennifer Venable and Connie Jean Hazlewood and their children. To his grandchildren he was affectionately known as “Graddy” and included Clyde Whisenant, Benjamin Brannan, Matthew Whisenant, Emily Marie Whisenant, Patti Grace Brannan, five great-grandchildren as well as Granddoggies Mosby and Shorty who will miss him immensely.

Visitation will be Thursday, April 7th, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at 822 Belvoir Avenue, East Ridge, Tennessee from 4 pm – 7 pm. A service will immediately follow. Private interment will be at the Chattanooga National Cemetery where he will be joining Alma. In lieu of flowers, Clyde has requested that donations be made to the Salvation Army of Chattanooga, 822 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37403.

Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist. 404 S. Moore Road, East Ridge, TN 37412.