Knoxville Retired Firefighters Association

08/27/2026

Asst. Chief Pat Cummins passed away. Visitation is at Berry Lyndhurst Friday 28 August 5-7 pm.

06/04/2026

Retired KFD Deputy Chief Luther Bradley passed away on Saturday, 30 May, at the age of 98 years. He had served on the Knoxville Fire Department for 36 years -- from 06 August 1952 until 31 December 1988. He was our oldest living retiree at the time of his death and may well have been the longest living KFD firefighter in our department's history. Arrangements are as follows:

Visitation on Monday, 08 June, 11 AM - noon at Clinton Chapel AME Zion Church (546 College Street in Knoxville) with memorial service to follow.

06/02/2026

Retired Assistant Chief Luther Bradley (worked at KFD 08/06/1952 – 12/31/1988) passed away Saturday. At 98 years and almost 10 months old, he was not only our oldest current retiree but may possibly have been our longest living KFD retiree ever.

Arrangements are incomplete at this time, but I will send arrangements I receive them.

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.