Steve Napolitan

Diamond Steve Napolitan, 90, of Chattanooga, formerly of Knoxville, passed away Monday, July 22, 2013, at a local healthcare facility.He was a charter member of West Hills Baptist Church in Knoxville, a member of the Bible Searchers Sunday School Class, served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher and member of various church committees. Steve attended Indiana Tech College and graduated from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville with high honors. He was a devoted husband to this wife Jean to whom he was married for 68 years. He was an accomplished artist, landscaper, and traveled extensively with his wife.He retired from the U.S. Air Force Reserve as a Major with 20 years of service. While on active duty he was a decorated veteran who flew 37 missions as a navigator in WWII. He retired from employment in Oak Ridge, Tenn., after 37 years of service in Metallurgy, the law department, and finally as a classifications officer at the K-25 plant.He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. F.M. Napoletan of Schenectady, N.Y.; son, Larry Napolitan, of Knoxville; brothers, Joseph Napoletan, of Lakeland, Fla.; Anthony Napoletan, of Atlanta; sister, Anna Caruso, of Schenectady, N.Y.Survivors include his wife, Jean W. Napolitan, of Chattanooga, formerly of Knoxville; son and daughter-in-law, Gary S. (Lillian) Napolitan of Signal Mountain; grandchildren, Chrissy (Chas) Schaerer, MaryGrace Sarah Napolitan, of Signal Mountain.No visitation is scheduled.Visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort with the family.A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Friday at Chattanooga National Cemetery with military honors with Rev. Jack Pennington of Knoxville presiding.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests any memorial contributions be made to the Orange Grove Center of Chattanooga, 615 Derby Street, Chattanooga, TN 37404.Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 East Brainerd Road.