Tommy Dow Waller

BAXTER-Memorial Services for Tommy Dow Waller, 72 of Soddy Daisy, TN. formerly of Baxter, will Saturday, September 5, at 3 P.M. from the Baxter Chapel of Hooper Huddleston Horner Funeral Home. Family will receive friends from 1 PM to service time. Mr. Waller passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, August 25, 2015. He was born January 5, 1943 in Grosse Pointe, Michigan to the late Dow and Juanita Johnson Waller. He was also preceded in death by a great-grandson, Jayden Warren Willis. Tom was reared in Baxter, TN and received his degree in civil engineering from nearby Tennessee Technological University. He then accepted employment with the Tennessee Valley Authority in Chattanooga, TN where he worked for thirty years holding management positions in the Maps and Surveys division and Realty Administration division. After retirement from TVA, he traveled the eastern seaboard and Caribbean extensively as an employee of Atlanta based Lowe Engineers. Very active in civic and professional affairs in the Chattanooga area, Tom was a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and the Chattanooga Engineers Club. He was president of the Chattanooga Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) 1973-74 and led them to receive many awards. Serving two terms on the TN Jaycee state board of directors, he was named outstanding regional director. Tom also served on the National Committee for five years, which he ultimately chaired and received awards for being the most outstanding committee chairman. Further, he served as president of the TN JCI (Junior Chamber of Commerce International) 1997-98. For 1998-99, he was Commander of the TN Jaycee Volunteer Corps. Tom remained president of the Jaycee non-profit corporation that built and managed the first Jaycee Towers for over three decades. One of Tom's crowning achievements was receiving the state of TN Governor's Merit Award from Governor Winfield Dunn for 1974 and was honored as one Tennessee's Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) for 1973. Mr. Waller was an avid sportsman and supporter of firearm and hunter's rights throughout his life. He was an active member of the Second Amendment Foundation, North American Hunting Club, National Wild Turkey Federation, Delta Waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk Club, a Life Member of Gun Owners of America, and a Benefactor Member of the NRA. Tom pursued waterfowl from the prairies of Saskatchewan to the marshes of Louisiana and even into the Republic of South Africa. He hunted sheep and bear in Alaska, upland birds in British Columbia, and elk in New Mexico and Arizona. He was one of the first in the Chattanooga area to achieve a Wild Turkey World Slam as recognized by the NTWF. Some of his most cherished memories , however, were backpacking trips/hunts in the Citico Wilderness Area with dear friends. After pining for the majority of his life, he was finally given the opportunity to travel to Africa and hunt. Tom has since made ten additional trips with twelve additional safaris. He acquired many plains game animals, ten separate spiral horns, and six of the seven dangerous game animals. Cape buffalo were his favorite on the ground tracking but he considered his acquisition of an elephant to be the most rewarding and emotional hunt of his lifetime. Tom leaves many close friends and hunting buddies behind and hopes that his life and friendship have been an inspiration to them all to follow their dreams and do what they love. Tom leaves this life with few regrets. He had a good ride. He is survived by his sons and their spouses, Richard and Laryssa Waller of Baxter, TN and Robert and Leah Waller of Chattanooga, Grandchildren Jessica and Edmund Willis and Richard Thomas Waller, II, Great-grandchild Myles Willis, and his special one, Sandi. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital by visiting www.stjude.org or to the National Wild Turkey Federation's Wheelin Sportsman Program, Attn: Beth Christie, Po Box 530, Edgefield, SC 29824. Baxter Chapel of Hooper Huddleston Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements (931)858-2134. You may share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com