Erby Nankivell Jr.

Erby Roy Nankivell Jr., 95, of Fort Myers, Fla., and former resident of Athens, died Saturday, June 7, 2014, at Shell Point Retirement Community. A native of McMinn County, he was a son of the late Erby Roy Sr. and Margaret Farrell Nankivell and was also preceded in death by a sister, Margaret Beene Proffitt; and a brother, Dr. James Jefferson Nankivell. He was a member of Keith Memorial United Methodist Church of Athens and The Faith United Methodist Church of Fort Myers, Fla. He was a strong family man and inventor. He was a graduate of Tennessee Wesleyan College, University of Tennessee of Knoxville, and did post graduate work at MIT and Harvard University. He served in the U.S. Marine Corp during World War II where he obtained the rank of Captain. After World War II, he served in the engineering department of the Athens Plow Co. and soon after joined his brother-in-law, Jones C. Beene III, in the founding of Plastic Industries, serving as vice president. He also founded the Ralide Co. a subsidiary of Plastic Industries serving as president of this company. Following his retirement in 1976, he and his wife moved to Marco Island, Fla., and later moved to Fort Myers, Fla., where he was an avid outdoorsman and fisherman. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Jean Bush Nankivell, of Fort Myers; three beloved daughters, Kathleen (Edward) Keil, of Suffolk, Va., Rebecca (Russell) Tiller, of Mount Pleasant, S.C. and Elizabeth (Anthony) Wilson, of Fernandina Beach, Fla.; six grandchildren, Jennifer (Mark) Sawyer, of Chesapeake, Va, Nathan DeVault, of Orlando, Fla., Matthew (Kristy) Forrester, of Chesapeake, Va., Stuart (Megan) DeVault, of Mount Pleasant, S.C., Amy (Brad) Hale, of Tampa, Fla. and Laura (Brian) Cordell, of Tampa; and 10 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at a later date to be announced. Memorial contributions may be made in Roys memory to Keith Memorial United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1, Athens, TN 37371-0001, or Faith United Methodist Church, 15690 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33908, or Tennessee Wesleyan College, 204 E. College Street, Athens, TN 37303. You may sign the guest register at www.smithfuneral&cremationservicesofathens.com. Smith Funeral & Cremation Services of Athens is serving the family of Erby Roy Nankivell Jr.