ClarksvilleNow Reporting
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CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Montgomery County has lost one of its most respected members of the agricultural community.
John Bartee, Sr. passed away Sunday, July 7 after suffering a brain aneurysm.
Bartee was the University of Tennessee (UT) Ag-Extension Director for the county for more than 20 years. He and his family have been involved in the cattle business for several generations.
He received the University of Tennessee’s B. Ray Thompson Award in 2012 for his work with a unique breed of cattle known as the gelbvieh. He served as President of the Tennessee Gelbvieh Association and was a leader in the Tennessee Junior Gelbvieh Association, and worked for decades on Tennessee 4-H projects.
“It was such a shock to hear of his passing,” said County Mayor Carolyn Bowers. “He served in that capacity for many years and touched so many people’s lives in Montgomery County. He will be greatly missed by all the people who knew and worked with him. He was just such a fantastic leader in our community.”
Mayor Bowers said Bartee was instrumental in the completion of the arena on Rossview Road, which houses 4-H programs. He also worked closely with STEM academies in the school system, and even helped soldiers deploying to Afghanistan learn proper cultivation of crops to pass on to the locals. “He had such great compassion for helping other people. I don’t think he ever refused to help anyone,” she said.
The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 at 2 p.m. at Northeast Baptist Church with Rev. Jamison Work officiating. Burial will be in Edgewood Cemetery in Trenton, KY. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 9, 2013 from 5-8 p.m. at Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home and Wednesday, July 10, 2013 from 1 p.m. until the hour of service at the church.
He is survived by his wife, Lois Young Bartee of Clarksville, TN; son, John D. (Christy) Bartee, Jr. of Cedar Hill, TN; three daughters, Jan (Bill) Walker of Hartselle, AL, Joy Bartee of Smyrna, TN; and Jill (Brian) Ayers of Clarksville, TN; six grandchildren, Bill Walker, Mike Walker, Matt Walker, Daniel Nolan, Liam Nolan, and Ethan Bartee; and two step-grandsons, Taylor Ayers and Luke Ayers.
Pallbearers will be Joe Griffy, Paul Hart, Ronnie Barron, Danny Askew, Rusty Evans, Perry Pratt, Clark Wilbur, and Jimmy Allen. Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Elliott, Kevin Ferguson, John Teague, Paul Cooper, Bobby Wall, Bobby Powers, Dr. Gary Silvey, J.D. Smith, and J.R. Smith.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Montgomery County 4-H Livestock Arena, c/o Montgomery County Cattleman’s Association, 1030-A Cumberland Heights Road, Clarksville, TN 37040. Arrangements entrusted to Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home, 1510 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN 37040. Online condolences may be made at www.neal-tarpley.com.