Kay Cradic

CHURCH HILL -Kay Lee Cradic, age 87, of Goshen Valley Tennessee passed away unexpectedly in a car accident on June 7th 2016 while on his way to visit his grandchildren.Kay Lee was born in Hawkins County Tennessee on September 26th 1928 to Grover Cradic and Nora A. (Armstrong) Cradic. He resided and farmed in the Goshen Valley community his entire life except for his time in the United States Army with Company A of the 485th Engineering Construction Battalion during the Korean War era.After the army, Kay Lee returned to Hawkins County where he resumed work on the family farm raising cattle, various crops and large vegetable gardens. Kay Lee married Ruby G. (Wilder) Cradic in 1960 and they had three sons: Michael W. Cradic of Kingsport, Grover L. Cradic of Knoxville and William L. Cradic of Rogersville. Kay Lee and Ruby divorced in 1977 but they remained close and continued to raise their family together. He sat with her daily when Ruby entered a nursing home later in life due to an extended illness and was by her side when she passed away in August 2009.In addition to farming, Kay Lee was employed first with Holston Ordinance Army Ammunition Plant and later with the Tennessee Eastman Chemical Company, a division of Eastman Kodak. He retired from Eastman Chemical Company on January 1st 1995 after 28 years of service.After retirement Kay Lee enjoyed meeting with friends for breakfast at the Mountaineer Restaurant and McDonalds in Church Hill where they would trade stories and reminisce before proceeding with the day’s business. Kay Lee was active in the Rogersville American Legion Post 21, the Tri-State Antique Power Association, the North Fork Rurtian and the 361st Engineering Construction Battalion Reunion Group where he traveled to reunions all over the country. He also attended several National Farm Machinery Shows in Louisville, KY with delegations of local farmers.In addition to his parents and wife Ruby, Kay Lee was preceded in death by his brother Wandell D. Cradic and wife Hazel (Markum) Cradic of Surgionsville, and his brother Dale E. Cradic and wife Shelby (Moore) Cradic of Church Hill. He was also preceded in death by his in-laws Tyler L. Wilder and wife Georgia (Bowlin) Wilder of Mt. Carmel and Ruby’s sister Louise (Wilder) Stewart her husband Clarence Stewart of Church Hill.Kay Lee is survived by his sister Rose (Cradic) Harris of Goshen Valley and a brother Willard O. Cradic and wife Nancy (Smith) Cradic and their son Robert O. Cradic and wife Angela (Jones) Cradic and their daughter Liliann M. Cradic of Kingsport. He is also survived by oldest son Michael W. Cradic and wife Elizabeth (Crawford) Cradic and their sons M. Devin Cradic and Andrew L. Cradic all of Kingsport, middle son Grover L. Cradic of Knoxville and youngest son William L. Cradic his wife Catherine (Cantrill) Cradic and their daughters Makaylee G. Cradic and Savannah E. Cradic all of Rogersville. His two surviving cousins are Edith (Golden) Alexander of Kansas and Oma (Armstrong) Budd of Maryland. Also surviving are Ruby’s sisters children Gary, Roger, Rick, Randy and Greg Stewart and all their families and his brother Wandell’s daughter Karen (Cradic) Nowell and family of Surgionsville.Kay Lee was never happier than when he could sit in the shade after he got down off one of his tractors and talk with friends, family and neighbors. Many of them are gone now but they have not been forgotten. We will always remember their kindness, compassion and the help they provided us in this cooperative effort called life. His family would like to express a very special thanks to the community of Goshen Valley all the people and families that have played such a large part in our lives: the Cradics Christians, Baileys, Dykes, Caldwells Mullins, Dobbs, Housewrights, Wards, Smiths, Phipps, Longs, Crawfords, Cantrills, Armstrongs, Keys, McClains, Waggoners, Parvins, Pattersons, Marshals and more that I cannot think off right now. God Bless You All. Calling hours are from 5 to 7 pm Saturday at the Johnson – Arrowood Funeral Home, and anytime at the residence of his son; William and Cathy Cradic at 138 Meadow Brook Lane, Rogersville, TN 37857. Funeral services will be conducted at 7pm Saturday in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Kent Aiken officiating.Military graveside services will be conducted 2 pm Sunday at the Hawkins County Memorial Gardens. Military rites conducted by the Hawkins County Color Guard and the Tennessee national Guard.To leave an online message for the Cradic family, Please contact us @www.jfhonline.comJohnson – Arrowood Funeral Home of Church Hill is honored to serve the Cradic family.