Harold Lingerfelt, 91, of 680 Fox Meadow Road, Elizabethton, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, September 11, 2018, from Franklin Woods Community Hospital following an extended illness. He was a lifelong resident of Elizabethton. Harold was the son of the late Jacob Lee and Viola Bacon Lingerfelt.
Harold was above all else a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was a devout Christian and was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church of Elizabethton where he had served as a deaf interpreter, Sunday School teacher, Deacon and Trustee. He attended the Elizabethton Schools, Milligan College, ETSU and UT, graduating as a Pharmacist in 1950. In 1944 he attended A.L. Boys State and was elected to the House of Representatives. He was a member of the Betsy Band, Drama Club, Debating Team, and in 1944 he won the Tipton-Grover Cleveland gold medal for the county oratorical contest. In 1945 he won first place in the National Forensic League State Oratorical contest. Harold earned all certificates in Toastmasters International, earned first place in Toastmasters State Humorous Speech Contest and third place in Toastmasters Southeastern States Humorous Speech Contest.
Following graduation, he returned to Elizabethton as a pharmacist at City Drug and worked at Burgie Drug for 11 years before taking ownership in 1963 of the former Taylor Drug Store, formerly owned by Mrs. Sid Powers. Lingerfelt Pharmacy had the first integrated soda fountain service and employee. Harold had also worked at S.H. Kress and Doughty Robinson Drug Store.
Harold served in the United States Navy, stationed in San Diego, during World War II. In 1944 he was selected for Boy’s State by Governor Prentice Cooper. He was past president of Elizabethton Gideon Camp International and Gideon State Cabinet for three years, a member of the Red Cross, the A Model Club, the Tennessee Baptist Convention executive committee and University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy alumni executive committee, Kiwanis, the Elizabethton Housing Authority, chairman of Urban Renewal HUD Program, past president of Elizabethton Merchants Association, member and treasurer of Watauga Historical Association, International American Legion, past president of Watauga Coin Club, past vice president of Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, and past president of Carter County Care and Share, that provided food, clothing and financial help for the underprivileged. Harold was recognized by Governor Ray Blanton for his contribution to the health and welfare of the local handicapped citizens and was named Handicap Provider of the Year. Governor Winfield Dunn appointed Harold to a four-year term on the Tennessee Hospital Advisory Board. Governor Lamar Alexander appointed him to a five-year term on the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy. In 1978 he was named Tennessee Outstanding Pharmacist “Bowl of Hygeia Award.” Harold also served on the Elizabethton City Council for two terms and also served two terms as Mayor of the City of Elizabethton. He enjoyed serving others through Hale’s Ministry, wood working and attending EHS Class of 1945 reunions.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 70 years, Peggy Petrey Lingerfelt, of the home; his sons, Michael Harold Lingerfelt and wife Nancy of Elizabethton and Mack Gordon Lingerfelt and wife Maria of Cordova, Tenn.; his daughters, Marjory Ann Cook of Elizabethton and Maylee Melissa Brooks of Macon, Ga.; his grandchildren, Jacob Lee Cook and wife Katie, Jonathan Mark Cook, Jay Michael Cook and wife Victoria, Mark Mitchell Lingerfelt and wife Kayla, Angelia Jean Lingerfelt Jacobs and husband Tim, Nicholas Graham Lingerfelt, Jake McRae Lingerfelt, Michele Seymour-Gales and husband David and Kenneth Dyer Hinson; and his great-grandchildren, Jayce McClain Seymour, Hunter Michael Gales, David Michael Gales III, Paxton Thomas Cook, Clara Gail Cook, Samuel Mark Lingerfelt, Theodore Harris Lingerfelt, Joseph Harold Lingerfelt, Emery Jayde Cook and William Hayes Jacobs.
A service to honor the life of Harold Lingerfelt will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, September 16, in the Chapel of Peace at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton. Music will be provided by Jerry Barnett. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 12 until 2 p.m. Sunday, prior to the service, or at the home at any time. Friends may also call at the funeral home between the hours of 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Saturday, September 15. The graveside service will follow the service on Sunday at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Military Honors will be accorded by V.F.W. Post 6975 of Bristol. Active pallbearers will be his grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers will be his great-grandchildren, a special friend, Ben Stewart, Gideon’s International members and the Men’s Honor Sunday School Class. The family would like to express a special thank you to Dr. Daniel Paul and Dr. Jeffery Schoondyke for the care shown to Mr. Lingerfelt during his illness. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to Gideon’s International, P.O. Box 1951, Elizabethton, TN 37643. Online condolences may be shared with the family on our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com
Mr. Lingerfelt and his family are in the care of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton. Office: (423) 542-2232. Service Information Line: (423) 543-4917.