Del Ottinger

Del L. Ottinger, 58, of Chattanooga went to sleep at 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018 and awoke in the presence of the Lord. Del fought an acute battle of pancreatitis that attacked his body suddenly on January 19. He was a lifelong resident of Chattanooga and a 1977 Graduate of Tyner High School where he was on the football and baseball teams for the Tyner Rams. He was an avid sportsman and excelled in every sport he participated in especially golf and tennis. Del was a fierce competitor and never liked being on the losing end of any game. He was a member of the Chattanooga Tennis Association and the U.S. Tennis Association where he traveled extensively in several championship tournaments. He loved the Tennessee Vols, UT Baseball as well as the Men’s Basketball and the Lady Vols. Del was an avid golfer and certainly loved his trips to The Masters. A faithful servant of God, Del was ordained as a deacon during his years of worship at Silverdale Baptist Church and was involved at that time in the Sanctuary Choir and several other leadership roles. He loved to sing and for several years had the opportunity to travel with The Harmony Singers and participated in several studio recordings. Del was a member of Redemption Pointe Church, Ooltewah. Del was Senior Inside Sales Rep. for Ferguson Enterprises for the past 17 years and formerly employed with Southern Wholesalers for over 20 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Billy and Ann Ottinger; grandparents, Pete and Adell Kennedy, Ben and Ida Mae Ottinger; and his nephew, Josh Ottinger. Del would have celebrated his wedding anniversary on Valentine’s Day to the love of his life, his wife, Karen Ann Paul Ottinger, Also surviving are his daughters, Brandy (Billy) Coats, Chickamauga and Jenny Ottinger, Chattanooga; three grand-daughters, Madison Doty, Sydney and Emma Coats all of Chickamauga; three brothers, Marty (Linda) Ottinger, Birchwood, Curtis Ottinger (Herb Pettit) and Tim (Debbie) Ottinger all of Ooltewah; step-daughter, Hillary (Chris) Overby, Chickamauga; step-son, Travis (Hyapatia) Payne, Rock Spring, Ga.; four step- grandchildren, Mylee, Haven, Heidi and Harper. He was loved by his nieces and nephews, Jeremy, Leah, Brittany, Maeghan, Brad, Tiffany and Heather. A Celebration of Del’s life will be held Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 6 p.m. at GraceWorks Church, 6445 Lee Highway with Pastor Kevin Wallace, Pastor Travis Ballinger and Dr. Bill Owens officiating. Graveside services will be held Thursday, Feb. 15, at 12 p.m. at Hamilton Memorial Gardens with Brian Myatt, John Marshall, Mike Zdzieba, Bryan Morrow, Lamar Jones and Rick Darnell serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the employees of Ferguson Enterprises. The family would like to thank the amazing doctors and nurses in the MICU , Parkridge Medical Center for everything they have done for Del during these past three weeks. You have demonstrated love and care that we have never witnessed and will be forever grateful. Visit www.heritagechattanooga.com to share words of condolences to the family and view the memorial tribute. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Wednesday from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Road.