Knoxville Retired Firefighters Association

04/04/2026

Arrangements for KFD Retiree Gary French are as follows:

Visitation 11 AM - 1 PM Tuesday at Mynatt’s Funeral Home in Powell (2000 Powell Drive). Memorial service to follow at 1 PM. Procession immediately following to Bell’s Campground Cemetery for interment.

04/04/2026

KFD Retiree Gary French passed away this morning. Gary had been with KFD from 08/13/75 – 06/01/88 and retired early due to an injury.

I will advise arrangements as they get made.

04/03/2026

Just a follow-up.

Assistant Chief Frank Henderson was with KFD from 06/16/64 – 08/01/2001.

Friends and family may call at their convenience from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Tuesday, April 7th at Atchley Funeral Home, 122 Peacock Court in Seymour.

There will be no public services.

04/03/2026

Frank David Henderson Obituary
Frank David Henderson, age 86, of Seymour, Tennessee, passed away on Sunday, March 29, 2026. He was born on June 10, 1939, quite memorably on his parents’ dining room table at the family home on Woodlawn Pike in Knox County, Tennessee. Frank was a proud graduate of Young High School in Knoxville, Class of 1957. He went on to serve his country honorably in the United States Navy as an aviation electrician from March 1959 until February 1963. Following his military service, he returned home to Knoxville and began a distinguished career with the City of Knoxville Fire Department. Over the course of 38 years, he faithfully served his community, rising to the rank of Assistant Chief before his retirement. Hired in 1963, his legacy within the department remains one of dedication, leadership, and service.

A devoted member of the Masonic fraternity, Frank was a 32nd Degree Mason and a 60-year active member of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Tennessee, Charles H. McKinney Lodge #433.

Frank lived a life full of curiosity, craftsmanship, and adventure. He was an active member of the Smoky Mountain Model T Club and took great pride in restoring multiple Ford Model T and Model A vehicles. Alongside his wife and family, he enjoyed traveling throughout the western United States, exploring backroads and lesser-known places by motorcycle, RV, Model T, and on foot.

He had a creative and skilled hand, building beautiful pieces of furniture including grandfather clocks, highboy dressers, plantation-style hunt boards, and countless tables for family and friends. He also found joy in gardening, growing vegetables, and collecting native plants.

Frank had a love for sports, whether dabbling in golf or teaching children the value of baseball and good sportsmanship. Win or lose, he was always ready to offer his thoughts as an armchair coach for the University of Tennessee Volunteers. He cherished storytelling and was apt to share tales that brought a smile to your face and warmth in your heart. Frank was a faithful member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Vestal, Tennessee.

He was preceded in death by his father, Albert William Henderson; mother, Lona Beatrice Wolfe; sister, Anita Snow; brother, Bruce Henderson; and brother, Paul Henderson.

Frank is survived by his wife of 58 years, wedding anniversary November 25, 1967, Vicki Hall Henderson; son and daughter-in-law, Curt and Christie Henderson; grandchildren, Seth Henderson, Maggie Henderson, and Elias Henderson; nieces, Debby Hahn, Angela Wolfenbarger, and Pricilla Infante.

Friends and family may call at their convenience from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Tuesday, April 7th at Atchley Funeral Home, Seymour. Online condolences may be made at www.atchleyfuneralhome.com.


Events
Call at Convenience
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
8:30AM - 4:30PM
Atchley Funeral Home - Seymour Memory Gardens
122 Peacock Court
Seymour, TN 37865

Atchley Funeral Home provides funeral, memorial, personalization, aftercare, pre-planning and cremation services in Sevierville, Seymour & Pigeon Forge, TN... Learn More

03/08/2026

Jack Elden Lewis, born on July 17, 1936 in Knoxville, went to
be with Jesus on March 6, 2026.

Jack was a life-long member of Second United Methodist Church. He graduated from West High School in 1954. Jack was a Captain in the Knoxville Fire department and retired in 1986. He was the unofficial historian for the KFD for over 50 years. Jack was a veteran of the US Army. While stationed in Japan, he and his brother, Joe, were proud members of the Seventh Cavalry Regimental Band. Jack was a member of the Tennessee Society of the Sons of the Revolution.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 49 years, Mary Jane Lewis; parents, Jack Edward Lewis and Mae Cogdill Lewis; twin brother, Joe Edward Lewis; and brothers-in-law, Sam M. Murphy, Jr. and John P. Murphy.

Jack is survived by dearly loved son, John E. Lewis and his wife Melonie; grandson, Luke Lewis; great-granddaughters, Adley Jane Lewis and Raelynn Avery Lewis; sisters-in-law, Christine Lewis and Peggy S. Murphy; nephews, Jeff & Jason Lewis; great-nephew, Evan Lewis; and several other extended family members colleagues and friends.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Second United Methodist Church (www.secondumc.org/giving/), The Humane Society of Tennessee Valley (www.humanesocietytennessee.org/) or Young-Williams Animal Center (www.young-williams.org/support/)

Family and friends will gather at Glenwood Cemetery, 7212 Central Ave. Pike, Powell, Tennessee on Wednesday, March 11th at 11:00am for a graveside service. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rosefuneraltn.com

For Your Convenience, we now have the below method for Online Giving to Second United Methodist. You can click on the Donate button below to access your PayPal account or use a Credit Card to make a contribution to Second United Methodist Church - Knoxville and

02/22/2026

Retiree Glenn McCarter (worked with KFD May 1966-September 2003) passed away last night following a brief but aggressive battle with cancer. Arrangements are as follows:

Visitation 5-7 PM Tuesday, 24 February, at Buffat Heights Baptist Church (2800 Mill Road) with Celebration of Life Service to follow at 7 PM.

02/16/2026

Hello all,

KFD Retiree John Settlemyer (with KFD from 1963-1994) passed away on 13 February. He was 88 years old.

Arrangements are as follows:

Graveside Service at Berry Highland West (9913 Sherrill Boulevard near Brown Squirrel) at 11 AM Wednesday, 18 February. There will be no other arrangements.

02/15/2026

Hello all,

KFD Retiree John Settlemyer (with KFD from 1963-1994) passed away last night, 13 Feb 26. He was 88 years old.

I will get arrangements posted as soon as they get announced.

01/23/2026

Ernest Jerry Ault, Sr., (Big Ernie) passed away peacefully on January 21, 2026, at the age of 85 with his family by his side. He started with the Knoxville Fire Department in 1963 and worked his way up to the ranks of Assistant Chief until he retired in 2003. He and Judy were members of the Volunteer Street Rod Association for many years. They loved taking trips and spending time with their friends. He loved his 1950 Henry J. Ernie loved watching Atlanta Braves baseball but most of all, he cherished time with his family.

Preceded in death by his father and mother, James and Molly Ault; brother, James Henry; and very special cousin, Juanita Inman.

He is survived by his loving wife of almost 45 years, Judy Stephens Ault; children: Ernie Jr. (Jackie), Eddie (Brenda), Kasi Shelton (Tyler), Lisa Lawson (Jeff), Stacy Nave (Tim); grandchildren: Nathan Ault (Beth), Brian Ault (Tiffany), Tiffany Ault (Ethan), Jeffrey Miller, Maggie McCoig (Brandon), Max McCoig (Kaylen), Kaylee Gionta (David), Christian Nave (Taylor), Keaton Nave, and Brody Lawson; 9 great-grandchildren and 1 on the way; longtime dear friend, Joe Keeble; and special friend during his illness, Chad Ward.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude and love to Baylee, Kassidy & Shelley - UT MICU - 5S, and Heather, his home health nurse. You are truly angels on Earth.

Family will receive friends from 5:00 - 7:00 PM on Thursday, January 29, 2026 at Berry Funeral Home, 3704 Chapman Hwy, with a funeral service to follow at 7:00 PM. Family and friends will meet at 10:45 AM for an 11:00 AM interment on Friday, January 30, 2026 at Berry Highland Memorial Cemetery, 5315 Kingston Pike. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to PAWZ Dog Services - 401 W Blount Ave, Knoxville, TN 37920 or East Tennessee Children's Hospital - P.O. Box 15010, Knoxville, TN 37901.

Online condolences may be left at www.berryfuneralhome.com for the Ault family.

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Posted online on January 23, 2026

Published in Knoxville News Sentinel

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12/20/2025

Please share this information with all Tennessee Fire Service agencies and Chiefs:

Dear Tennessee Fire Service Members,

The President of the United States signed the Honoring our Fallen Heroes Act last night enabling certain cancers to be considered eligible injuries under the Public Safety Officers Benefits program. While the US Department of Justice will need to establish the procedural process and documentation requirements over the next couple of months, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Local Assistance State Team in Tennessee is establishing a list of deceased firefighters that may qualify for this benefit.

Please note that this appears to also cover deceased retirees diagnosed with cancer within 15 years of working in the firefighting role.

If you know of an active or retired firefighter that died of a cancer listed below that fits within the duty parameters, please advise me at [email protected] by sending me the name of the deceased; Next-of-Kin name, address and phone number; name of the fire department that they served; and the type of cancer that the Firefighter died from. I do not want any of our heroes or their families to fall through the cracks.

Here are the key points in the legislation:
The firefighter death occurred on or after 01 January 2020 as a result of one of the listed cancers below.
The deceased began serving as a Firefighter not fewer than 5 years before the date of the diagnosis with an exposure-related cancer.
The deceased was diagnosed with the exposure-related cancer not more than 15 years after the last date of active service as a firefighter.
Here are the cancers that are covered:
bladder cancer;
brain cancer;
breast cancer;
cervical cancer;
colon cancer;
colorectal cancer;
esophageal cancer;
kidney cancer;
leukemia;
lung cancer;
malignant melanoma;
mesothelioma;
multiple myeloma;
non-Hodgkins lymphoma;
ovarian cancer;
prostate cancer;
skin cancer;
stomach cancer;
testicular cancer;
thyroid cancer;
any form of cancer that is considered a WTC-related health condition under section 3312(a) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300mm–22(a))

I am expecting that our team will get very busy with this because we could have a BUNCH of active and retired firefighters eligible for Federal Public Safety Officer Benefits under this law. Getting them onto this list will depend upon you. Please help us reach these families.

This may also make them eligible to be honored at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial -- and if so, will make them eligible to be listed on the Tennessee Fallen Firefighter Memorial as well.

Please remember to send the deceased name; Next-of-Kin name, address and phone number; name of the fire department that they served; and type of cancer from which they died to [email protected].

PAUL N. TRUMPORE, SR., Executive Director
Tennessee Federation of Fire Chaplains
Coordinator, Local Assistance State Team - Tennessee
National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
[email protected]
865-805-2890

10/13/2025

Good afternoon,
Just a friendly reminder that our Retirees Luncheon is Saturday October 18th Bearden Banquet Hall 5806 Kingston Pk. Doors will open at 1030. Opening Ceremony at 1100 with lunch to follow. If you are coming and haven't RSVP'd please do so by noon tomorrow 14 October. We have to give a headcount for the food at 1300