Harold David Fee

Harold David Fee, age 94, of Knoxville passed away Saturday, January 17, 2015, just 10 days short of his 95th birthday. Harold was a Uniontown, Pennsylvania native and honorary Eagle Scout. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at Muskingum College, New Concord, Ohio and attended The University of Tennessee, and Oxford University in England. He studied at the U.S. Army School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, and Free French Army School of Engineering in Hull, England.

Harold served as a Master Sergeant in the U.S. Army European Theatre of Operations, 5th Armored Division, 22nd Armored Engineers during World War II. He earned five battle stars and was in training for the Japan Invasion Force when the war ended.

Harold was a charter member of Kirk Hills United Presbyterian Church in Knoxville and has served his church in many different leadership positions including Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Fee was an Active Elder, Past Treasurer, Past Sunday School Superintendent, Past Building Committee Chairman, Past Clerk of Session, Past Chairman Budget & Finance Committee, Past Chairman Pulpit Committee, Past Chairman Personnel Committee, and Sunday Church School Teacher for over 30 years.

Harold served the Boy Scouts of America in numerous roles including President of the Great Smoky Mountains Council in 1973-1974, Council commissioner, and Southeast Region committeeman. Additionally, he served as a National Council Representative, Area Six Vice President, and was a member of the Great Smoky Mountain Council Executive Board since 1959. He initiated the process of the new council office on Papermill Road in 1965 and purchased the council’s first printing press that started in-house printing operations. Harold was a recipient of the Council Scouter of the Year Award, South East Regional Scout Family Award, Eagle Class 1981 named The Harold D. Fee class, Eagle Scout Award recipient, District Award of Merit, Silver Beaver Award, Silver Antelope Award, and the Dr. Stanley Erwin Leadership Award. Harold was responsible for the establishment of the first Inner City District in Knoxville as well as several summer camp scholarships for under-privileged Scouts. Mr. Fee was most recently a 34-term National Council representative.

Harold was a past president (1957) and past Lieutenant Governor of Division 13 (1966) of the Northside Kiwanis Club, Knoxville where he had been a member since May 1952. He was a two-time George F. Hixson Fellow designee. Mr. Fee was a life member, 30 year Legion of Honor with 62 years of perfect attendance. Harold also chaired all committees (Finance Committee 14 years), K-T District Achievement Award (1957), chairman 1958 District Convention in Knoxville, chaired 5 District Governors Visit Committees to Division Treasurer, International President Visit Committee, chaired 5 Lt. Governor Division training meetings, was advisor to 6 Lt. Governors and 6 Presidents, chartered one Kiwanis Club and one Key Club, Charter Committeeman for one Key Club, 3 Kiwanis Clubs, one Circle K Club, District Chairman Education and Major Emphasis Committees, and directed the first Knoxville Junior Miss Pageant.

Other civic endeavors include Knoxville Junior Chamber of Commerce; President and Vice President of the East Tennessee Easter Seals Society, past Chairman Budget/Finance, Building and Business Management Committees, recipient of Tennessee Outstanding Achievement Award; Knoxville Executive Club, member of Masonic Lodge #244 and a Shriner for over 60 years; University of Tennessee, Knoxville, U.T. Theatres Opening Night Committee; and member of the Knoxville/Knox County U.S. Consitution Bi-Centennial Commission.

Harold and his late wife Betty raised six children; including two girls, one which earned the First Class Girl Scout rank; and four boys who all earned the rank of Eagle Scout, were God and Country Award recipients, and at least two were Order of the Arrow members. Harold was retired, having been an athletic coach, Tiffin, Ohio, Vice-President and General Manager of Chemcity Radio and Electronics Parts and Equipment Company, Knoxville, Tennessee, General Contractor, Knoxville, Tennessee, Real Estate Investments, Knoxville, Tennessee.

Preceded in death by wife, Elizabeth Amelia Gettman Fee (Betty); parents, Joseph A. and Rosa Fee; brothers; Joseph A. Fee, Jr., Dr. Arthur O. Fee, Robert L. Fee; and sisters, Clelia Astleford, Martha Vona and Edna Ella Morris.

Survivors include sons H. David Fee, Jr. and wife Hui Zhong, Joseph A. Fee and wife Karen Brant, John A. Fee and wife Valerie, Robert Mark Fee and wife Kim; daughters, Mary Ann Fennell and husband Tom, Martha Elizabeth Fee Elliott (Betsy) and husband Charles. Grandchildren Katie Sherrard Fennell, Henry David Fennell, Andrew Jacob Fennell, William Ben Fennell, Harold Z. Fee, Ye Sheng, Jonathon Thomas Fee, Alexandria Cox, Robert Tyler Fee, David Tanner Fee, and Tammy Elliot; great-grandchildren, Andrew Jacob Fennell II, Isabella Fee, and Layla Fee, Brooklyn Elliott.

The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Friday and 1-2 p.m. Saturday, with the Celebration of Life Service at 2 p.m. with Reverend Brad Palmer, officiating, all to be held at Buffat Heights Baptist Church, 2800 Mill Road, Knoxville. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery on Tazewell Pike.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Kiwanis Club of Northside, Knoxville, P.O. Box 3041, Knoxville; Boy Scouts of America, 1333 Old Weisgarber Road, Knoxville, 37909; the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, 102 S. Gay Street, #302, Knoxville 37902; or Kirk Hills Presbyterian Church, 4123 Buffat Mill Road, Knoxville 37914.

Condolences may be offered at www.lynnhurstchapel.com.