Thomas Franklin Chilcote Jr

Thomas Franklin Chilcote, Jr., 90, of Kingsport, died Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at his home, Preston Place II, surrounded by his family and friends.

He was born in Dayton, PA on May 25, 1918, the son of Thomas F. Chilcote, Sr., a Methodist minister, and Emma Jane Chilcote. Tom spent his early days in Pennsylvania where he met the precious love of his life, Margaret Virginia Mossor. They were married September 18, 1943 and had 65 blessed years together.

Tom walked humbly with God. His love for family, friends, and those he served was evident throughout his life.

Tom received his B. A. degree from the University of Pittsburgh after two years at Taylor University in Indiana. He studied one year at Western Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh and enrolled at Boston University School of Theology where he received the Master of Divinity degree in 1943. In 1955 he was awarded an honorary degree, Doctor of Divinity, at the University of Chattanooga, where he had taught New Testament, 1951 - 1955.

Dr. Chilcote's pastoral assignments have included McCandless Avenue Church in Pittsburgh, PA; Atlantic Church, North Quincy, MA; Walnut Avenue Methodist Church, Roxbury, MA; Methodist Church, Cresson, PA; First Church, Chattanooga, TN; First Church, Maryville, TN; Fountain City Church, Knoxville, TN; First Church, Oak Ridge, TN; and First Broad Street United Methodist Church , Kingsport, TN. He also served as news editor of The Christian Advocate, Chicago; as managing editor of The New Life Magazine; staff member of the General Board of Evangelism in Nashville; and as Superintendent of the Abingdon, VA District of the Holston Conference. Dr. Chilcote was elected the 17th President of Emory & Henry College and served from March 1, 1973 to June 30, 1984. He consecrated himself to the young people of Emory & Henry.

In the denomination, Dr. Chilcote was a delegate to the 1951 and 1961 World Methodist Conferences England and Norway, the 1968 Uniting Conference, the 1970 General Conference, and three Southeastern Jurisdictional Conferences.

Dr. Chilcote authored many books. He was a speaker on numerous college campuses and participated in Interdenominational Preaching Missions in many states.

His wife, Margaret Chilcote, preceded him in death on October 10, 2008. He was also preceded in death by his son, Wayne L. Chilcote; and three brothers, Virgil, Lawrence, and Russell Chilcote.

Surviving are one daughter, Debbie Dougherty Wallace and husband James "Bud" of Kingsport; three granddaughters, Deborah Crawford and husband George of Knoxville and Deborah's mother, Linda Wing, Emma Jane Chilcote and Hannah Elizabeth Chilcote, both of Charleston, SC; daughter-in-love, Bernadette Chilcote of Charleston, SC; one sister, Emily Arbuckle of Chattanooga, TN; one brother, Lester Chilcote of Weirton, WVA; and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank their Preston Place II family for the love and care they have given Tom for the past five years.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday evening at First Broad Street United Methodist Church. Services will follow at 7 p.m. Friday at the church with Rev. A. Clark Jenkins, Rev. Jack Weikel, and Rev. Charles Maynard officiating.

Graveside services will be conducted 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Emory Holston Conference Cemetery in Emory, VA. A memorial service to follow at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Chapel of Emory & Henry College with Richard Trollinger officiating.

Memorials may be made to First Broad Street United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 1346, Kingsport, TN 37662; or the Tom Chilcote Scholarship Fund, Office of Institutional Advancement, P. O. Box 947, Emory, VA 24327; or to the church or charity of one's choice.