Thomas J. "Sonny" Kilgore Sr

T. J. "Sonny" Kilgore, 80, of Kingsport, went to be with the Lord, Tuesday, August 26, 2014 after professing a commitment of faith in the summer of 2014.

He was born in Norton, VA, in 1933. Sonny lived and grew up in Old Kingsport and attended Lynn View High School. He served in the U. S. Air Force Strategic Air Command during the Korean War. He retired from Holston Defense where he was a Master Mechanic. Sonny's interests included automobiles, woodworking, travel, historical places, and caring for his cats. He attended Old Kingsport Presbyterian Church as a child and an adult.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Setsuko Fujimoto Kilgore; father, Robert Otto Kilgore, Sr.; mother, Beatrice Mae Pope Kilgore; and brother, Robert Otto Kilgore, Jr.

Sonny is survived by two sons, Thomas J. "Jeff" Kilgore, Jr., Knoxville, and Kevin Kilgore, Fort Worth, TX; two sisters, Hannah Zanetti, Kingsport, and Betty Watson, Nashville; nephews and nieces, Marshall Watson, Lewis Kilgore, Tommy Kilgore, Jim Kilgore, Elizabeth Rapasarda, Donna Taylor and a grand- niece, Maria Rapasarda.

The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 pm on Tuesday at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home. The memorial service will follow at 7:30 pm with Rev. Jim Kilgore officiating.