Herbert Edward Carlton

Herbert Edward Carlton, 86, a resident of Cleveland TN., passed away Sunday, January 15, 2017 at a local hospital, with his son by his side.He was the son of the late, Lake Floyd Carlton and Grace Dewoody Carlton of Bonham, TX. He was preceded in death by sister, Rachel Templeton of Bonham, TX and an infant son David Steven Carlton.He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Helen Carlton; son Daniel (Sharon) Carlton; and grandson Nathaniel (Jennifer) Carlton all of Cleveland, TN, sister Geneva Atnip of Bonham, TX and numerous nieces and nephews.He retired in 1968 after 20 years of service in the United States Air Force. He joined the Army Air Corp at the age of 17 and began training as a Flight Engineer. He began flying in the Boeing B-29 Bomber, which he lovingly called his "first wife", as Air/Sea Rescue during the Korean War. He then flew in Vietnam carrying troops and cargo. He was accepted as backup crew for Air Force 1. During the Cuban Crisis, he was the second transport to carry troops into Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The first plane crashed and his plane was the first to land safely. He volunteered for the testing of the nuclear bomb, participating in 2 atomic and 3 hydrogen bombs. He flew to every continent with over 10,000 hours of flight time going around the world many times. He received numerous awards and commendations during his service. He concluded his career as a Flight Engineer Instructor at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City, OK.Upon his retirement from the Air Force, he moved to Atlanta, GA where he took over his father-in-law’s business which was founded in 1927 working with antique furniture restoration, refinishing, and upholstering. In 1986, he and his wife moved to Cleveland, TN bringing the business where he quickly became known as a master, artisan of antique restoration. The Carlton Refinishing business was closed in 2011due to age issues.He was known as a man who loved to laugh, loved to help people, never met a stranger, and loved his family deeply.A Remembrance of Life Service will be held graveside, Wednesday January 18, 2017, 2:00pm at the Chattanooga National Cemetery with full military honors. Rev. Daniel Carlton will officiate the service.At his and the family requests, in lieu of flowers, all memorials should be made to "The Tabernacle Worship Center (Music dept.), PO Box 3722, Cleveland, TN 37320. Jim Rush Funeral and Cremation Services Wildwood Ave. Chapel, Cleveland TN., has charge of the arrangements. We encourage you to share your memories and or condolences with the Carlton family by going to www.jimrushfuneralhomes.com.Read Obituary