Hargus Pearl Church of Oliver Springs completed his life’s journey on Friday, Jan. 10, following a lengthy illness. He had been a resident of Ben Atchley State Veterans’ Home since July 2013. He was 88 years old.
He was born in Jewel Ridge, W.V., and later moved to Pine Creek, Va., where he grew up. He joined the Marine Corps at the age of 17 and had his 18th birthday at Paris Island. Following boot camp, he was sent to Philadelphia Naval Yard to serve as a guard. Disappointed at not being sent overseas to fight for his country, he went AWOL…not running away from battle, but running TO it… and hitchhiked from Philadelphia to San Francisco, where he turned himself in, explaining that he didn’t want to sit out the war in the states while others were fighting. After three months in the brig, he got his wish and was shipped out to the South Pacific, where he fought in several campaigns before being wounded in combat on Okinawa. He was awarded a Purple Heart and letter of commendation.
After the war, he married his childhood sweetheart, Zella Dye. They moved to Tennessee in 1949 and he went to work at the Oak Ridge Nuclear Facility, where he worked for many years, as well as running his own tire retreading business.
He was a member of Dyllis Baptist Church, where he served on the deacon board in the 1960s. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, and gardening. Most of all, he was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Zella Dye Church; his mother, Nora Bell Hylton Church; sister Margaret Imognen; and brothers Douglas, Lowell, Clyde Jr., and Frank Church.
He is survived by sisters, Loretta Melton of Chattanooga, Shirley Sutton and husband Alferd of Knoxville, Carol Marsh and husband Ed of Leesburg, Fla., Rometta Bokhoven and husband Arnold of Charlotte, N.C., and Sue Leveler and husband Carl of Concord, N.C.; brothers Eugene Church and wife Lynda of Panama City, Fla., Daniel Church and wife Debbie of Johnstown, Pa., and Jerry Church and wife Doris of Kannapolis, N.C.; son, H. P. Church and wife Sheila; daughter Vicki Collins and husband David; grandchildren, Davy and Christy Collins, all of Oliver Springs; and granddaughter, Erin Church and husband Michael and great-grandsons, Asa and Ari Church of Knoxville. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Fred Hollier of Erwin, Tenn., was a special friend who fought beside him in the South Pacific.
The family received friends Monday, Jan. 13, from 6–8 p.m. at Weatherford Mortuary. The funeral followed at 8 p.m. with Rev. Waylan Payne Jr. officiating. Family and friends met on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Oak Ridge Memorial Park for a graveside service with Rev. John Justice officiating. Military honors were provided by the Volunteer State War Era Honor Guard.
An online guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.
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