Curtis Lee Kerley

Curtis Lee Kerley, age 89, of Oak Ridge, died Friday, June 14, at Tennova North Medical Center after a brief stay at Golden Living Windwood Skilled Nursing Facility in Clinton. He was born March 29, 1924, in Carlock, Ill., the son of George and Elsie Kerley.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by siblings, Alvin Kerley and Ruby Rogers; his beloved wife Martha Kerley of over 61 years; and son-in-law, Bob Dix.

Mr. Kerley attended Lenoir City High School, but left before graduation in 1943 to enlist in the U.S. Navy. He had perfect school attendance from first grade all the way through. In 1970, he was awarded his diploma. He served with the U.S. Navy from May 19, 1943, to November 28, 1945, and served aboard the Destroyer #679 in the Pacific.

In 1947, he graduated from Knoxville Business with a degree in salesmanship and business administration. He worked at the Y-12 plant in Oak Ridge after World War II as an accountant, where he met his wife Martha Eula Smothers. In 1951, he attained a certificate in accounting from the University of Tennessee.

He worked on ships on Lake Michigan in 1957 and for one year as a longshoreman before starting his long career as an accountant for Tennessee Valley Authority.

Mr. Kerley went to work in 1958 for TVA at the Johnsonville Steam Plant in Waverly, Tenn., until 1959. That same year, he transferred to the Widows Creek Plant in northeast Alabama. He transferred in 1962 to Bull Run Steam Plant in Claxton until 1964, when he went to Allen Power Plant in Memphis from 1964–1965, then returned to Bull Run Steam Plant for 1965–1966, and lastly to Knoxville TVA Headquarters in 1966 and retired from there in 1986.

Mr. Kerley was a long-time member of Robertsville Baptist Church. He began attending the church in the early 1950s, when the congregation met at Robertsville Junior High School. In 1962, he joined the church, sang in the choir for 30 years and taught Sunday School for many years. In the early ’60s, he began coaching boys softball and basketball for the next 13 years. He also helped with the RAs (Royal Ambassadors) from the late ’60s to the mid-1970s.

He spent many years teaching kids to play softball, swim, ride a bike, sled, and drive a car. He paid for piano lessons for his two daughters and attended numerous band and chorus concerts with them. He also participated in the Y-Indian Guide and Cub Scouts with his son.

He loved watching the UT Vols football, Lady Vols basketball, Oak Ridge High School football, basketball, and Lady Wildcats basketball. He immensely enjoyed singing bluegrass music and playing his guitar. He loved to fish and was an avid camper.

He is survived by children, Jan Dix, Diane Long, and Jeff Kerley; grandchildren, Kim Taylor, Cyndie Sebben and husband Greg, and Tracy Long; great-grandchildren, Karah Sebben, Gabriel Sebben, and Amelia Fradette-Taylor; sister, Violet Parton; and children’s partners or spouses, Rick Bosch and Charlotte Kerley; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.

The family would like to thank the Senior Home Assistance for helping him stay in his home as long as possible and Amedysis Home Health for the care at home and Emeritus Assisting Living. Also thanks to Continuum Courtyards of Oak Ridge for personal attention and care and to her neighbors who helped him for over 45 years, Richard and Carolyn Mynatt, Bob and Helen Morrow, Bert and Wilda Brewer and his best friend, Fred Kiser.

The family received friends Monday, June 24, from 6–8 p.m. at Weatherford Mortuary. The funeral was Tuesday, June 25, at 2 p.m. at Robertsville Baptist Church with Rev. Brian Scott officiating. The burial followed at Oak Ridge Memorial Park.

An online guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.