Eddy Newell

Vance Edward "Eddy" Newell, who retired from the Chattanooga Fire Department as battalion chief after 43 years of service, died Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016. Eddy was born in Chattanooga on Aug. 25, 1934, the son of the late Sheriff Frank and Ruth Buffett Newell. He graduated from Central High School in 1954 and served in the U.S. Army in Germany. Eddys life was dedicated to his family. Eddy married Diane Welch in 1956, and they raised two active sons David and Bobby. He coached them in baseball, was a leader in Boy Scouts and a member of the Health and Safety Committee for the Eastern District of the Scouts. Eddy was instrumental in helping his grandsons Robert and Ryan achieve Eagle Scout. He also enjoyed golf and was a real estate broker and a member of the Chattanooga Board of Realtors. Eddy was a board member of the Chattanooga Half-Century Club, where he served as chairman of the Sunshine Committee and organized the special birthdays of members age 85 and over. He was also a member of the Chattanooga Firefighters Local 280, a charter member of the Fraternal Firefighters and a 60-year member of Fidelity Local 558 F&AM. Eddys brother, Bill "Meathead" Newell, preceded him in death. Eddy is survived by Diane, his wife and best friend; sons, David (Susan) of Hixson and Bobby (Linette) of New Orleans; his sister, Sandra Watkins of Birmingham; grandchildren, Robert, Ryan, Amy, Collin and Meredith; and special niece, Karen (Denny) Shirley; and several nieces and nephews. Thanks to the wonderful staff and friends at Panera Bread on Gunbarrel Road, Garden Plaza of Greenbriar Cove and Hospice of Chattanooga. Funeral services were held at an earlier date at the Chattanooga National Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to the Half-Century Club, Sunshine Fund, 6910 TyHi Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37421, or to Hospice of Chattanooga, 411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416. Arrangements by Chattanooga Funeral Home, Valley View Chapel, 7414 Old Lee Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37421.