Herbert Joseph McChrystal Jr

Herbert Joseph McChrystal, Jr., Major General, US Army, retired, of Kingsport, TN, died on December 10, at the age of 89.

Beloved husband of Nedra Rutledge McChrystal; devoted father of Scott (Judith Miller), David (Lois Stutzman), Stan (Anne Corcoran), Pete (Andrea Rogers), Bill (Colleen Witkowski), Betsy (Walter Brinker) and Charlotte (William James Oliver); cherished brother of Natalie Overman Ealey. He is also survived by twenty-one adored grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, and many dear friends.

M.G. McChrystal was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Estella Eugenia Bell; and his precious wife, Mary Gardner Bright of Chattanooga, TN, the mother of his six children.

A Class of 1945 graduate of the United States Military Academy as an Infantry Lieutenant, McChrystal served in Germany, in the Korean War as company commander, and in the Vietnam War as battalion commander, brigade commander, and Chief of Staff for the 4th Infantry Division. He served in staff assignments with the Army Staff, the Office of the Secretary of Defense and Department of State.

During his twenty-nine year military career, McChrystal earned numerous awards and decorations to include four Silver Stars, the Bronze Star Medal, the Distinguished Service Medal and two awards of the Combat Infantryman's Badge.

After retiring from the military in 1974, his civilian employment included 4 years as Politic-Military consultant to RAND Corporation. He spent several years on the staff and faculty with the Florida Institute of Technology and also earned his MBA from that institution. He and his wife, Nedra, formed a small logistics consultation firm.

For McChrystal, official retirement from work-related activities in no way signaled a slowdown in activities. During the last twenty-five years of his life, he and Nedra hosted many joy-filled visits to their home by their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Favorite activities, besides eating, were watching old cowboy movies and playing with Granddad's extensive train collection.

McChrystal's legacy in service to the nation extends far beyond his military service. All five of his sons served in the Army on Active duty, as did a daughter-in-law and one son-in-law. Five grandsons are presently serving or have served on active duty with the Army. Another grandson presently works for an agency within the Department of Defense. As of the middle of December of this year, four grandsons will be serving in Afghanistan at the same time. His other grandsons and granddaughters are equally serving as professionals either in business, medicine and/or as loving wives, husbands and fathers.

He will be greatly missed. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 14, 2013, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 161 East Ravine Road, Kingsport, TN. The family will receive friends following the service.

Burial with full military honors will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a time and date still to be determined.

If you choose, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 161 East Ravine, Kingsport, TN 37660, or a place of your choice.