Edward "Ed" M. Stratton

Stratton, Edward M. “Ed” was born on May 21, 1911, and he passed away peacefully on November 25, 2012. Ed was preceded in death by his loving wife, Louise Henegar Stratton, step-daughter, Diane Carter Herndon, mother, Loulie McGavock Stratton, father, Thomas Edward Stratton, brothers, Thomas M. Stratton and Charles w. Stratton, nephew, Thomas Stratton. He is survived by step-granddaughter, Stacy Diane Herndon, sister-in-law, Ann W. Stratton, and niece Patty Stratton Stovall of Columbia, TN. Mr. Stratton was the owner and president of Merry Sounds Advertising Agency, which was founded in 1976 and continued until his death. He was the voice of Emma’s Flower “The Superlative Florist” on television, and on the radio since 1983, receiving thousands of letters, cards, and telephone calls with endless in person compliments along with offers from advertising agancies in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Memphis, as well as more than thirty middle Tennessee business firms and radio stations. He refused them all to remain exclusive with Emma’s flowers. Ed attended Central High School and then continued his education at University of Tennessee. At Central High School he was student body president, voted most popular boy, and was awarded the coveted citizenship medal. He was a member of the debating team, which won the state championship. Ed was on the track team as a distance runner. At the University of Tennessee he received an award as department leader in history courses with consistent highest grades ever given. He sang in the men’s Glee Club and mixed men and women’s choir while working his way through school, at the height of the great depression. In 1935 he joined the advertising sales staff of the Tennessean Newspaper, remaining there for fourteen years, interrupted from 1941-1945 in the Army Pacific War with the seventh infantry division, as a machine gunner most of the time. After basic training he was selected as one of 102 men out of 25 thousand troops at Camp Wheeler Georgia to attend officer’s training school. It was decided that Stratton’s history of stomach ulcers would render him ineligible. However, due to his high finish in quality points. Otherwise, he was invited to attend and did so, enjoying the honor. New Comm. Stratton was assigned to teach the noncommissioned officers training school for the 13 week term. In basic training he was made an instructor of the other trainees on the rifle range due to his own rating of expert rifleman, receiving the medal for this. Stratton was highly decorated. After four years, as the war ended, he returned to the Tennessean. In 1948 he joined the sales staff of WSIX radio and remained there for 48 years. He was a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. All of his life until marriage in 1958, he was a member of the Hobson Methodist Church, where he served as president of the Epworth League, and as an usher for many years. In 1958 he and his wife Louise joined Calcary United Methodist Church by transfer. He became a member of the official board for the limited term of five years, and then joined the visitation team teams and acting usher for a very long term. He and his wife Louise Henegar had married in the little chapel at Calvary. Stratton received the senior citizen’s award for his thoughtfulness and willingness to serve others. Ed Stratton was probably the oldest person with continuous service, in the advertising industry of Nashville, TN, with a record of over 70 years in the business. A visitation with family and friends will be held on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 from twelve o’clock noon until eight o’clock in the afternoon, at Woodlawn Roesch-Patton Funeral Home. Family members will receive visitors at Calvary United Methodist Church from eleven o’clock until one o’clock, Thursday, November 29, 2012. A funeral ceremony to remember Ed’s life will be conducted by Dr. Peter Van Eys on Thursday, November 29, 2012 at one o’clock in the afternoon at Calvary united Methodist Church.