Erwin

Erwin Latimer III Erwin David "Lat" Latimer III, of Lookout Mountain, Tenn., passed away Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2013.Lat was born in Cleveland, Ohio on Nov. 30, 1923 to Erwin and Celia Latimer. He was second of their four children, Graham Grund, John Latimer, both of Cleveland, Celia Ochs, of Chattanooga and Charlottesville, Va.Lat attended Sewanee Military Academy and Washington and Lee University where he met his wife, Lane Winship who was at Hollins. They courted by mail when Lat joined the Army Air Corp during WWII. Lat was trained to be a bomber pilot but when Burma fell he was sent to India to "fly the HUMP"for the next three years. After the war, Lane and Lat were married in 1946 in Atlanta. They soon settled in Chattanooga where they were warmly received by the Greater Chattanooga community, especially the golfing community. Lat and his brother-in-law initially formed an auto financing business service because. Lat later bought out the Big Boy restaurant in Chattanooga with another brother-in-law. He and his partners grew this into a publically held company, Shoneys South Inc.with over 150 restaurants.After retirement Lat enjoyed playing golf, traveling, and finding ways to serve the Lord. He made several missions trips to Eastern Europe when the wall fell, and others to Africa. He was an elder and involved in the missions program at First Presbyterian Church. Lats first love became Bryan College where he served as trustee Emeritus for years. Lat is now happy to be home with his beloved Lord. Those of us left behind will miss him.He is survived by his loving wife, Lane; their four children, Eddie Latimer, Lane Carpenter, Graham Prentiss and Frank (Cynthia) Latimer. He and Lane had 18 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Jim Suddath officiating.Memorial contributions may be made to Bryan College, 721 Bryan Drive, Dayton, TN 37321, or to the World Mission Program at First Presbyterian Church.Visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort to the family.The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. Saturday at the church.Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421.