Charles Galemore

CMSgt Charles "Chuck" Gilbert Galemore, USAF/TNANG (Retired), age 86 of Cookeville, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 28, 2020. He passed peacefully at home. He was born May 4, 1933, in Success, Arkansas, to the late Gilbert and Eva Laughlin Galemore. The family moved to Charleston, Missouri, where Chuck spent his childhood and youth. Chuck enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on May 25, 1951, five days after graduating from Charleston High School. After basic training and technical school at Sheppard Air Force Base (AFB), Texas, he began his career in aircraft maintenance at Mountain Home, Idaho. In 1952, he was transferred to the 6th Air Rescue Group, Goose Bay, Labrador. From 1954 - 1955, Chuck was stationed at Kelly AFB, Texas, working on C-54 aircraft. After reenlisting, he joined the Strategic Air Command (SAC) at Randolph AFB, Texas, working on B-29s, before transitioning to KC-97s. In 1961, after ten years of active duty, he joined the Tennessee Air National Guard's 118th Air Transport Wing based at Berry Field, Nashville, beginning a 28-year career as a full-time guardsman. He worked on KC-97F/Gs, C-124s and the venerable C-130A. He retired in 1988 as a Chief Master Sergeant, supervising all the aircraft maintenance crews. He was most proud of the missions he flew to Vietnam, hauling supplies in to soldiers and bringing the bodies of the fallen home. The advice Chuck would give to any solider is to, "persevere; serving your country is the most important thing you'll ever do." Chuck was an avid fan of the Arkansas Razorbacks and every movie John Wayne ever made. He was an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and was a former member of the Algood Lions Club. After relocating to Cookeville in 1999, Chuck and his wife, Carlene, spent many years volunteering for ESGR (Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve), a Defense Department program that promotes understanding and cooperation between civilian employers and their guard/reserve employees. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Charles G. Galemore, Jr., brothers Warren Galemore and Gordon Galemore, and sisters Barbara Bethel, Peggy Holman and Alice Brown. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Carlene Neely Galemore, whom he married on June 6, 1975; sons Dana Galemore and wife Stacey of Murfreesboro, Blanton Alspaugh and wife Leann of Charlottesville, Virginia, Kevin Alspaugh and wife Kathy of Hermitage, and Gary Alspaugh and wife Deborah of Sparta; and grandchildren Chelsea Alspaugh and Neal Alspaugh. Private funeral services with military honors will be held Wednesday, April 1 at Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, Nashville. Memorial donations may be given to the Putnam County Tornado Relief Fund (www.putnamcountytn.gov/relief ) or the charity of your choice. Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111 Share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com.