Larry George Ledford

Larry George Ledford of Cleveland, TN, a lifelong resident, passed away on Nov. 25, 2018 at his home with his devoted wife by his side. He was 74 years young. The son of the late Dorothy (Mikel) Ledford and Charlie E. Ledford and grandson of the late L.C. Mikel and Nettie (Dye) Mikel, he was born on April 14, 1944 in Cleveland, TN. Larry was a graduate of Bradley High School and the Chattanooga Technical Institute. He was a house painter and paper hanger in Cleveland for many years, as was his grandfather, several uncles and cousins. Larry, along with his best friend, Joe Johnson, was a Charter member of the Cleveland Amateur Radio Club and held several offices in the club. Larry was a FCC Licensed Engineer and worked part time at several radio stations in the Cleveland area. He was a Scoutmaster for B.S.A. Troop 7 in the Waterville area and had an untold impact upon the many scouts he encountered. Larry was also a volunteer for the Bradley County Election Commission and a long standing member of Eastside Church of Christ. He will be dearly missed. Larry was a wonderful husband, father, loving grandfather, son, brother and friend to many. He was a loyal and dependable man with a strong work ethic. He loved the out of doors, camping and traveling; was an avid reader and enjoyed woodworking and watching classic black and white movies. Larry was also a writer and began recording stories about his grandfather and other family members about life in Cleveland in the early 1900s. As a result, he LOVED to tell his family stories to anyone who would listen. He was a jack of all trades and was a great source of information covering car repair, plumbing, electrical work and home repair. Larry married Barbara Waddell on July 1, 1983. Survivors include his loving wife of 35 years, his daughter, Jeannie Johnson and husband, Russell Johnson of McDonald; son, William Jerry Brown and companion, Erica Beckler of Benton; grandchildren, Tabitha Sutton and husband, Brandon Sutton; Ashley McCracken and companion, Artez Kimpson; Alexis Brown; Nick Johnson and Sabrina Johnson; three great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews and grandnieces and nephews; and one brother, Mikel Ledford and wife, Constance Bertone of Goshen, NY. Larry was predeceased by his sister, Janice Sue (Ledford) Lillard of Benton and brother, Charles Brent Ledford of Hiram, GA. The Remembrance of Life Service will be conducted Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at 2:00 P. M. at the East Side Church of Christ with Minister Jeff Archey and Minister Bill Maynard officiating. Interment will follow in the Hilcrest Memorial Gardens with Joe Johnson and the Cleveland Amateur Radio Club serving as casket bearers. The family will receive friends from 12:00 until 2:00 P. M. Wednesday at the East Side Church of Christ. The Jim Rush Funeral and Cremation Services Wildwood Chapel has charge of the arrangements. You may share your condolences and your memories with the Ledford family at www.jimrushfuneralhomes.com.Read Obituary