David Painter

David Mason Painter passed away on Monday, July 17, 2017, at the age of 100. He was born on Dec. 23, 1916, in Kensington, Ga. Mason was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Epps Painter and daughter, Daphne Marjorie Painter. He was a Navy veteran of WWII serving in the Pacific and returned to Chattanooga to begin a long career as a masonry contractor. He was the founder of Painter and Varnell Masonry Contractors, now Gentry and Painter Inc. He was a longtime member of Masonry Contractors Association of Chattanooga and America, Associated General Contractors of East Tennessee and America. Mason was a member of the Alhambra Shrine, Masonic Lodge #736 F&AM, Signal Mountain Golf and Country Club, and the Brainerd United Methodist Church. He was an avid golfer, hunter and woodworker, making furniture and keepsakes for friends and family. He is survived by his daughter, Charlotte (Keith) Stafford, Suzanne (Andy) Nolan, Janet (Michael) Hays; son, David Mason Painter Jr.; grandchildren, Jennifer (Derek) Cunningham, Suzanne (Rob) Russell, Lauren (Henry) Glascock, Christina (Drew) Jones, Nickolas (Brandy) Hays, Patrick (Danielle) Hays, Molli (Drew) Williams, 15 great-grandchildren, friend and longtime caregiver Bertha Knuckles, and caregiver, Benita Long. Graveside services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 21, 2017, at Chattanooga Memorial Park with the Rev. Terri Lowe officiating. Memorial contributions made be made to Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Dr., Chattanooga, TN. 37416. Please share your memories of Mason at chattanoogaeastchapel.com. Arrangements are by Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, East Chapel, 404 S. Moore Road, East Ridge, TN. 37412.