PORT ORANGE, Fla. — Dewey Arnett and his wife, Dorothy Knox Arnett, will be laid to rest in their native Tennessee.
Dewey Arnett was born in Carter County to Pettibone and Maude Williams Arnett. Dorothy Arnett was born in Cumberland County to Gooden and Mary Ford Knox. Both died peacefully in a nursing home in Port Orange, Fla., after enjoying 67 years of devoted marriage. Dorothy died on January 21, 2016 at age 89 and Dewey on March 9, 2016 at age 96.
Dorothy is survived by Bob Field and wife Wanda and a host of other family members.
Dewey was preceded in death by brothers, Fred, Orville, Archie, John, Henry, Bill and Wayne, and sister, Hassie Arnett McKeehan.
He is survived by one brother, Herb Arnett; half brother, Ned Arnett; half sisters, Mary Belle Arnett Davis, Linda Arnett McDaniel and Bertha Arnett Asher; and many nieces and nephews.
Both Dewey and Dot were avid pilots and being instrument rated, flew their plane in many competitions with Dot having many trophies in her bookcase.
Dewey was a WWII vet, serving four years in the Army Air Corps in the European Theater. Upon discharge he entered the University of Tennessee and received his degree in vocational agriculture with a teacher’s certificate in 1949. He received his master’s degree from Indiana University shortly thereafter. Dewey taught high school vocational agriculture in southern Indiana until his retirement at age 65.
During WWII, Dot worked in the Secret City, Oak Ridge, Tenn., helping with the Manhattan Project. After marriage, Dorothy worked many years for a leading mortgage company in Louisville, Ky., supervising the Southern Indiana branch and was the only licensed employee qualified to close on VA and FHA loans.
Friends are invited to join family at a graveside service with full Military Honors on Thursday, March 24, at 10:45 a.m. at the VA National Cemetery at Mountain Home, Johnson City, Tenn., officiated by Lay Minister, Deacon and nephew of Dewey Arnett, Tony McKeehan. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Whitehead/Arnett Cemetery Maintenance Fund in care of: Mr. Ned Arnett, 1416 Lodge Pine Walk, Kingsport, TN 37660.