Judge Tom Stinnett

Robert Thomas Stinnett was born Feb. 29, 1944, Nashville, and died Aug. 23, 2016, Chattanooga. He was preceded in death by his parents, Irene and Bill Stinnett; and sister, Barbara Stinnett Latta. He is survived by his wife, Libby Parrott Stinnett; sons, Robert Thomas (Rob) Stinnett, of Franklin, Tenn., and James Stuart (Jay) Stinnett, of Knoxville; and grandchildren, Trace Landrum and Payton Stinnett, of Franklin, Tenn.; brother, Bill Stinnett (Yvonne), of Ashland City, Tenn.; and sister, Jean Stinnett Neal, of Lavergne, Tenn. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Cynthia Parrott Smith (John), of Nashville; his brother-in-law, Al Parrott (Mitzi), of Strawberry Plains, Tenn.; and several nieces and nephews. Tom graduated from Nashville East High School, the University of Tennessee and the University of Tennessee Law School. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and ROTC. He was past president of the Chattanooga Civitan Club. He was a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church for over 30 years. Upon graduation from UT he was commissioned into the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant. After serving the U.S. Army in Naples, Italy, Tom returned to Tennessee to attend UT Law School. Following graduation he clerked for his father-in-law, James Parrott, Tennessee Court of Appeals and practiced law in Knoxville for 20 years at Stone and Hinds. In 1994, he was appointed U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the 6th district and relocated to Chattanooga where he served as Judge for 16 years before retiring in 2010. In Tennessee, he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, bridge at the Chattanooga Bridge Center and being with both new and lifelong friends. Tom loved the warmth and sunshine of winters in Mexico, and the camaraderie of friends and neighbors he met there. He spent many hours "holding court" at the pool, winning at poker and bridge and hosting many house guests. Wherever he was on Feb. 29, he always had fun on his leap year birthday and delighted in reminding you that this year was only his 18th birthday. Tom loved life, never met a stranger and relished every new day. Funeral service will be Monday, Aug. 29, 2016, at 4 p.m., with burial following in the columbarium at St. Johns Lutheran Church, 544 N. Broadway, Knoxville. Friends and family will gather in the fellowship hall following the service to celebrate and share memories of Toms life. In lieu of flowers please remember Tom with a memorial to St. Johns Lutheran Church, 544 N. Broadway, Knoxville, TN 37917, Chattanooga Civitan Club, P. O. Box 746, Chattanooga, TN 337401 for the new Chattanooga Childrens Hospital or UT College Fund for Law, Attn: Development Office, 1505 W. Cumberland Avenue, suite 248, Knoxville, TN 37996. Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com