Ralph H. Troutman, 81, of Elizabethton, Tenn., passed away on Saturday, September 24, 2016, at Johnson City Medical Center.
Mr. Troutman was born in Carter County, Tenn., and was the son of the late Hezekiah and Deliah Heaton Troutman. He was also preceded in death by a son, Danny Troutman; three brothers, Guy, Roy and Jess Troutman; and one sister, Edith Street.
Mr. Troutman worked at Sperrys Univac for 25 years and retired from Smith-Cline. He was a member of the Valley Forge Freewill Baptist Church, was a veteran of the United States Army and was also a member of the Roan Mountain Masonic Lodge #566. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather; his grandchildren were the love of his life.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Billie Blackwell Troutman, of the home; one son, Chris Troutman and his wife Stephanie of Charlotte N.C.; three grandchildren, Virginia Page Troutman, Donna Lea Troutman and William Briggs Troutman; two brothers, Jack Troutman and his wife Willie of the Burbank Community in Roan Mountain, and J.L Troutman and his wife Jean of the Burbank Community in Roan Mountain; one sister, Willie Barnett of Hampton; and one sister-in-law, Dorris Troutman of Hampton. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
The family will receive friends in the Tetrick Funeral Home Fireside Room, Elizabethton, from noon until 1 p.m. Tuesday, September 27. A graveside service to honor the life of Ralph H. Troutman will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Happy Valley Memorial Park with Rev. Randy Johnson and Rev. Mark Potter officiating. Active pallbearers will be Anthony Troutman, Craig Fair, Arlan Henson, Keith Blackwell, Brent Blackwell, Eddie Blackwell, Steve Dyer and Less Tolley. Honorary pallbearers will be Doyle Gregg, David Blackwell, Jackie Blackwell, Bobby Blackwell, J.L. Troutman, Ed Birchfield, Jack Troutman, Steve Tipton, Ted Walsh and William Troutman. The family would like to extend a special thank you to their neighbors, Ruby Hatley and Margie Valentino, their church family at Valley Forge Freewill Baptist Church, and his Sperry lunch companions and the Jack Barnett breakfast gang. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to the following charities: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105, Jericho Shriners, 1100 Jericho Drive, Kingsport, TN 37663, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Donor Services, P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202. Online condolences may be shared with the family at our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is serving the Troutman family. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.