Obituary: Bobby Lavurne Tichenor

Bobby Lavurne Tichenor, age 75, of Knoxville, passed away Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014, at Park West Medical Center.

He was born July 29, 1938, in Lebanon, Va., the son of Melton L. and Nell McCloud Tichenor. Mr. Tichenor served with the U.S. Army and retired after 36 years of service in the Army Reserve and the National Guard.

He retired from Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, where he worked at the Y-12 plant. He was a member of Glenwood Baptist Church as well as the Loyal Order of Moose #1316 and the Fraternal Order of Eagles #2514.

Mr. Tichenor loved camping, hiking and RV-ing. He was an avid UT football fan, attending all the home games. He was known for his cooking while tailgating.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Lori Tichenor; his faithful, canine companions, Taz and Mya; sisters, Nancy Boyett and husband Ray of Climax, Ga., Marsha Lane and husband Steve of Kingston, Donna Thompson and husband Ron of Cocoa, Fla., and Jodie Kelly and husband Eddie of Oliver Springs; brother-in-law, Robert Zurlinden and wife Patricia of Cincinnati, Ohio; niece, Melissa Zurlinden of New York City; and eight nieces and nephews and numerous extended family.

The family received friends Wednesday, Feb. 5, from 6-8 p.m. at Weatherford Mortuary. The funeral followed at 8 p.m. with Pastor Robbie Leach officiating. A graveside service was held on Thursday at 11 a.m. at Oak Ridge Memorial Park with full military honors provided by the Volunteer State Veterans Honor Guard.

The family asks that any memorials be in the form of contributions to the Volunteer State Veterans Honor Guard, PO Box 22122, Knoxville, TN 37933.

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