Jack Carver, 71, formerly of Elizabethton, Tenn., passed away peacefully on February 17, 2018 at his home in Decatur, Ga. Jack had a great heart who was a kind and decent human being and we shall surely miss having him in our lives. He was born in Bluff City, Tenn., in 1946, the son of Ruby Lyons Carver and Otis R. Carver. Otis left us far too early in 1978 but Ruby led a long and eventful life until she passed away in 2012.
Jack moved to New Orleans in 1979 and fell in love with the city. He never lost his love for New Orleans and returned frequently to visit the city, his family, and friends even though we suspect it was the wonderful food that kept him coming back. He was a lifelong member of Vol Nation and enjoyed attending UT games. He was a longtime Parrothead, Beatlemaniac, Doctor Whovian and a (Star) Trekker. He was a 1964 graduate of Elizabethton High School. He served in the Air Force from 1966 until 1971, which included a one-year tour of duty in Vietnam. He returned to college after the Air Force and earned his Business Degree from East Tennessee State University in 1978.
Jack is survived by his wife, Melissa Wirsig, and daughter, Angela D. Carver, both of Decatur, Ga.; his son, Robert A. Carver; and his daughter-in-law, Diane M. Hays of Stone Mountain, Ga.; and his sister, Judy Carver Schmollinger of Knoxville, Tenn.
There are no official memorial services planned. Jack was cremated according to his wishes, and the ashes will be placed in the three favorite places from his life: Elizabethton, Tenn., New Orleans and Pensacola, Fla. The family suggests contributions to the GoFundMe Memorial for Jack’s daughter, Angie, who was the focus of his life at https://www.gofundme.com/JackCarverMemorial.