Thomas Potts

Thomas Potts

Thomas David “Tom” “Grumpy” Potts Sr., 65, Lookout Mountain died Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007, at his home on Lookout Mountain after a long fight with cancer.

He was born in Burlington County, N.J., on Nov. 29, 1941, and was raised in Moorestown, N.J.

His first job was as a technician on the second heart/lung team in the country at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. Tom graduated from Franklin and Marshall College with a degree in biology and chemistry. He received his MBA from Rutgers University.

Tom worked as the plant manager at Inolex Chemical Co. in Philadelphia, Pa., and then took on the same position at Reichhold Chemicals in 1983 in Kensington.

He and his family moved to Chattanooga that same year. In 2000 Tom brought The Barn Nursery in Dalton. He loved his new career and stayed at work there until well into 2006. The Barn Nursery is now known as Rosewood Garden Center and is still operated by his family.

Tom was a productive member of society and contributed as an athletic coach, teaching Sunday School and as a lecturer and Eucharistic server at O.L.P.H. and Our Lady of the Mount Catholic Churches. He also served as chairperson of the O.L.P.H. church council. He was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus, Holy Family Council 6099 and also served as its chairperson.

Tom was on the Walker County Chamber of Commerce and served as its president in 1998. He was named Executive of the Year in 1992 by the Chattanooga Chapter of Professional Secretaries International. He also spent several years as an active member of the Dalton Rotary Club and as a Master Gardner. His favorite pastimes were reading science fiction, gardening, playing bridge and being with his family, especially his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by parents, Ernest R. Potts and Marie H. Potts, sisters, Linda and Sylvia Potts, and brother, Ernest Potts.

Survivors are wife, Mary Ann Potts; sons, T. David (Angela) Potts, Douglas A. (Becky) Potts; grandchildren Holly, Rya, Owen, and Wyndom; sister, Nancy Gildenberg; brother-in-law, Michael Zemaitis; beloved mother-in-law, Mary Ann Zemaitis; cousin, Joseph Bonner and many aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial mass will be celebrated at O.L.P.H. Catholic Church on Moore Road, East Ridge, Saturday at 11 a.m. Burial will be held privately on Monday.

In lieu of flowers, please donate blood to Blood Assurance or monetary donations to any cancer organization.

Condolences may be sent at www.heritagefh.com.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. ypday at Heritage Funeral Home and Crematory, Battlefield Parkway, Fort Oglethorpe.