Ralph "Happy" Duncan Sage

Ralph Duncan "Happy" Sage, 87, of Kingsport, went to be with the Lord Thursday, April 15, 2010, at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center with his loving daughter by his side after an extended illness.

Born in Stickleyville, VA to George Vastine "Vas" Sage and Mary Elizabeth "Mollie" Duncan, he was the youngest of their thirteen children. In addition to his parents, Mr. Sage was preceded in death by his loving wife, Innis Flanary Sage in 1984; seven sisters and five brothers.

He was a World War II veteran proudly serving his country in the U. S. Army stationed in the Philippines and he also served in the Korean War several months before being hospitalized. Mr. Sage was a member of the American Legion Posts #3 and a Past Master of Kingsport Masonic Lodge #688. Mr. Sage was a member of Kingsport York Rite Bodies where he was a Past High Priest of Lynn Bachman Chapter #195, Past Illustrious Master of Kingsport Council #117, and a Past Commander of Kingsport Commandery #33. He was honored a Knight York Cross of Honor and Knight Commander of the Temple. Mr. Sage was also a member of the Northeast Tennessee York Rite College #153 where he received the Order of the Purple Cross and the Sovereign College Service Award Honors. He was a Past Patron of Liberty Chapter #198 Order of Eastern Star and a member of the Jericho Shrine Temple.

Mr. Sage was of the Methodist faith and a member of Glen Alpine United Methodist Church.

He was an auto mechanic by trade for 50 years and was owner/operator of the Happy Motors in Kingsport until retirement in 1990. Prior to his illness, Mr. Sage loved working with wood and built some beautiful pieces, including the saw-handle cane that he used. He was a wonderful man, being a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who easily met friends wherever he went, thus his nickname "Happy". He will truly be missed by everyone who knew and loved him.

Ralph is survived by his only child and loving daughter, Lisa Addington and husband, Ronnie; grandsons, Brandon Bowles and fiancée, Karla Chapman, Logan Addington, and Christopher Addington; granddaughter, Pamela Addington; three great-grandchildren, Keila Bowles, Jordan Clark, and Samuel Gage Steffey, all of Kingsport; "adopted son", Darrel Dougherty of Nickelsville, VA; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; and many friends from all over the United States.

The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Kingsport. Funeral services will follow at 7 p.m. with Rev. Jeff Strong officiating along with a Masonic Funeral Rites service.

Military committal services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday at East Lawn Memorial Park with military rites by the American Legion Posts #3/265. Family and friends will meet at the funeral home at 2:15 p.m. Sunday to travel in procession to the graveside.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shriner's Hospital for Children, 940 W. Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605; Knight's Templar Eye Foundation, c/o Kingsport Masonic Lodge, 2317 Ft. Henry Drive, Kingsport, TN 37664-3607; or Sullivan Baptist Church Building Fund, 4152 Maplewood Street, Kingsport, TN 37660.

The family wishes to extend a very special "thank you" to all the doctors, nurses, and staff who treated Mr. Sage at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center, Church Hill Healthcare & Rehab Center, and the VA Medical Center in Johnson City. He was truly blessed to have such excellent care during his illness.