Jimmie Haskell Rich

Jimmie spent a lifetime in the service of his country. He joined the Navy Reserve while in high school. After graduation from Chattanooga Central High School in 1957, he enlisted in the Air Force where he was stationed at Stead Airforce Base in Reno, Nevada as a survival instructor. After his enlistment, he attended and graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) earning a Bachelors degree in 1966. While attending UNR he served as a policeman on the Reno Police Department. In 1966 he was commissioned as an Officer in the United States Army through the UNR ROTC program where he was a distinguished graduate. He served in the Infantry and Military Police branches. His service included assignments to Germany, Vietnam - where he earned the Bronze Star, Georgia, Hawaii, Virginia, New Mexico and Texas. His service included company and Battalion commands, as well as Provost Martial positions at various installations. He retired from the Army in 1982.

After the Army, he worked for a number of security companies, including Pinkerton and Securitas Government Services, overseeing the security of various Department of Energy sites at Oak Ridge as well as throughout the country, retiring from Securitas as a vice president for eastern region operations overseeing government contracts in 2003.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Nellie Rich of East Ridge, TN; brothers, Raymond and Bobby, and sisters Dorothy, and Virginia.

Jimmie is survived by his wife, Jessy, three Sons: Bryan, Michael and Jason, Daughter in-laws Tania, Paula and Nancy. Grandchildren include: Travis, Justin, Ashley, Hailey, Jessica, Kate and Stella. Grand Children-in-Law include Justin Jones, Mathias Callison, and Johnathan and Gavin Ryan, Great Grandchildren include: Evie and Bo, Dyllan, Elliot and Wyatt.

He is also survived by two sisters and a brother: Wanda Thompson and Gloria Mitchell, Ronnie Rich and Brother-in-Law Louie Thompson of the Chattanooga area. Numerous nieces and nephews as well as their spouses and children including Larry & Kathy Thompson, Clay McDivett, Tracy & Jeff Garner, Wayne & Donna Thompson, Leslie & Gena Sewell, Jennifer McGuire, Angie and Greg Wright, Larita Sewell, Thomas & Monique Rich, and Reid Rich.

He is also survived by numerous Great and Great-Great nephews and nieces.

Celebration of Life Services will be scheduled at a later date.

Arrangements are by the East Brainerd Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 8214 East Brainerd Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37421.

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