Obituary of Robert Ward DeLozier

Robert Ward DeLozier, 85, passed away on Friday, January 16, 2015. Funeral and Burial Services: Friday, January 23, 2015, 2:00 p.m. at Logan's Chapel, 4626 Logans Chapel Loop, Maryville, TN 37804, 865-983-3011. Memorial Service: Wednesday, January 28, 2015, 5:00 p.m. at Calvary Bible Church, 4800 El Campo Avenue, Fort Worth TX 76107, 817-738-8456. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to James L. West Alzheimer's Center, 1111 Summit Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76102. www.jameslwest.org/support-center Robert was born on February 19, 1929 in Johnson City, Tennessee to Jesse and Goldie DeLozier. His high school years were spent at Pleasant Hill Academy in Pleasant Hill, Tennessee. Robert served three years in the United States Armed Forces and was awarded the World War II Victory Medal and commendation from President Harry S. Truman for his service. He worked in telecommunications with Western Union Telephone & Telegraph Company for more than thirty years. His work involved collaboration with various military base operations requiring security clearance and he was involved in the development and implementation of electronic mail for Western Union. Robert spent his retirement years in Crossville, TN. He served in the community on the Board of Trustees for Cumberland County "911" Emergency Communications District; Board of Trustees for the Art Circle Library; and was a member of the Pleasant Hill Academy/Pleasant Hill High School Alumni Association. Robert was an avid reader of history and had a passion for genealogy. He traveled the United States and abroad to research the DeLozier family roots. He was a member of the Cumberland County Historical Society in Crossville and assisted countless families with their genealogical research. Robert spent the last several months at James L. West Alzheimer's Center in Fort Worth, Texas. The nurses, caregivers, and administrators connected with him and nurtured him as if he were their own family member. The activities director engaged him in numerous activities at the Center which included the Men's Group, Sam the Music Man, football-watching parties, music "concerts" as he called them, and movie time. One of the nurses was a genealogist and they shared conversations about tracing family members all the way to south Texas. He compared his experience at the Center to his beloved high school years at Pleasant Hill Academy. There is no greater compliment to the staff of James L. West Alzheimer's Center. Robert's funeral and burial were held at Logan's Chapel and Cemetery in Maryville, Tennessee where the congregation still includes DeLozier family members and where much of the DeLozier ancestry is buried. The small church is a thriving entity which serves the community in numerous ways. We were delighted to learn that Logan's Chapel actively participates in the Alzheimer's Association fundraisers. During 2014, the church raised $12,305.00 of $108,762.24 as part of a three-county campaign and sold 5,000 tamales to accomplish this goal. Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Ruth Hartley DeLozier; sons Russell Warren DeLozier and Brian Wesley DeLozier; and granddaughter, Gwendolyn Marie DeLozier. Survivors: Sister Ann Louise DeLozier Wallace and husband Robert; Children Ronald Ward DeLozier and wife Fran; Sharon Suzanne DeLozier Maxwell and husband Skip; Rodney Wendall DeLozier and wife Dana; Melanie Teresa DeLozier Lashley and husband Craig; their mother Irene Howell Johnson; grandchildren Andrew Sellers; Bret and Angela Maxwell; Melissa Irene DeLozier; Jennifer DeLozier Giles; Robert DeLozier; Jeremy DeLozier; Courtney Shackel Small; Heather Shackel; Micah Shackel; and Laine Lashley; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.