STRADER, LAWRENCE DEAN, Tennessee Society, Sons of the Revolution Member # 784, admitted 10/15/1961 (ancestor William Gardner) died suddenly October 11, 2009, age 78, at Parkwest Hospital. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Winnie Pitts Strader. L.D., as most people knew him, was an only child. He is survived by several cousins and many, many friends. A Central High School graduate, he attended all reunions and loved being with his buddies. A graduate of the University of Tennessee, he was employed by and retired from the Reading Railroad. He was an Air Force veteran of the Korean War, and continued to meet with his Unit. He belonged to Sons of the Revolution of TN, was eligible for Jamestown Society as his father’s family settled in Jamestown, VA about 1607. Genealogy was one of his hobbies and he was always looking for new “relatives”. He was a Mason, Bright Hope 557 Lodge, Thirty Second Degree Scottish Rite Knoxviille Consistory, Kerbela Shrine Temple and the Klown Klan. He earned the Eagle Scout rank as a Boy Scouts and more recently helped form a Ham Radio club for young scouts. He belonged to R.A.C.K., his “call sign” K4LDS was well known by other Ham operators. He said he had talked with someone in every country in the world. He traveled extensively during his life and belonged to East TN Stars who drove their motor homes all over Alaska and many other places. He felt his was the best of worlds; Summers in East TN and Winters in Wimauma, FL with friends and the Strawberry Festival. He was a true and caring friend and cousin. Memorials can be made to East Tennessee Foundation, 625 Market St., Suite 1400, Knoxville, TN or to the charity of your choice. Visitation for family and friends will be Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009 from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Chapel of Gentry-Griffey Funeral Home. A family graveside service will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009 at the Stoney Point Cemetery in Hardin Valley. Rev. Dave Hutchison will be officiating. You may sign the guestbook at www.gentrygriffeyfuneralchapel.com.
