Earl Brooks Nidiffer, 103, Johnson City, died peacefully Tuesday, August 5, 2014, at his residence following a brief illness.
Earl was a native of Polk County and lived in Elizabethton before his family moved to Johnson City in 1923. He was a son of the late Cephus Grant Nidiffer and Sara Elizabeth Myers Nidiffer.
Earl was educated in the Elizabethton and Johnson City public schools. He graduated from what is now E.T.S.U. in 1934 and later was past-president of the Alumni Association and a member of the Presidents Trust. After one quarter at E.T.S.U., Earl dropped out of school and worked for the Dominion Natural Gas Company in Brantford, Ontario, Canada, before returning to E.T.S.U. to complete his degree.
Upon his graduation, Earl went to work the same day as sports editor of the fledgling Johnson City Press Chronicle, in a store building on West Market, between McClure and Boone Streets. He later worked briefly in the payroll department at Eastman. Earl was then hired by the U.S. Postal Service in 1937, where he spent the next 35 years, the last 17 of which, as Assistant Postmaster, prior to his retirement.
He attended Central Baptist Church for more than 80 years, where he was a deacon and a secretary of his Sunday school class for 36 years.
Earl’s interests included traveling, gardening, gourmet cooking, yeast bread baking, and he was an avid golfer for nearly 70 years.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Lucille Gray Nidiffer, in 1996, and by six sisters and two brothers.
Earl is survived by his son, Dr. Gordon G. Nidiffer and wife, Rebecca S. Nidiffer, Sarasota, Fla.; his granddaughter, Kirsten Lurene Williams and husband Charles Williams, Fayetteville, Ga.; his great-granddaughter, Morgan Taylor Williams, Fayetteville, Ga.; and one extra-special cousin, Lizetta Peirce and her family.
The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, August 8, from the East Chapel of Appalachian Funeral Home with Dr. Ronald Murray officiating. Honorary pallbearers are Jack Seaton, Keith Lyle, Trey Williams, Lawrence Pierce, Ron Arp, Dr. and Mrs. Bomar Herrin and Dave Hogan. The graveside committal service and interment will follow at Monte Vista Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Friday prior to the service from 1 to 2 p.m. in the East Parlor of the funeral home. Those who prefer to make memorial contributions, please do so to the charity of your choice. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.appfh.net.
Appalachian Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 800 E. Watauga Avenue, Johnson City, (423) 928-6111, is serving the Nidif