John H. Dockery

John H. "Red" Dockery, 95, born in Hanging Dog, North Carolina and long-term resident of Bradley County, passed from this world into his heavenly home with his Father, Jesus Christ, on Sunday, January 20, 2013. Dockery was a member of First Baptist Church for over 70 years, and a longtime member of the Manley Sunday School class. He retired from Bradley County Government where he served as Bradley County Trustee from 1966-1982. Dockery also retired from Southern Railroad where he served from 1941-1966, as the yard engineer. Dockery was very community-oriented and was a past member of the Boy's and Girl's Club, the Lions Club, the Republican Party, Bradley County Old Timers Hall of Fame Selection Committee, and the Oak Grove Ruritan Club. An avid athlete as a youth, Dockery served as captain of the football team, basketball team, and baseball team while playing at Bradley Central High in 1937. Dockery was named All-State in all three sports while at Bradley, as well as being President of the Senior Class. Dockery signed and played professionally for the Detroit Tiger baseball organization out of high school and later played football at Tennessee Wesleyan College. Dockery was also an inductee of the Bradley County Old Timers Hall of Fame and the Bradley Central High School Basketball Hall of Fame. Dockery was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanette Gibson Dockery, and his son, Rex Dockery. Dockery is survived by his daughter, Pam Dockery Mull and son-in-law Bill Mull; his grandchildren: Johnny Mull, Tracy Maples and Billy Maples, Trey Dockery and Debbie Dockery, and Dee Dockery; his 7 great-grandchildren: Jessica Maples, Lyndsey Maples, Kelsey Mull, Chase Dockery, Dylan Dockery, Lyles Dockery, and John Rex Dockery; and daughter-in-law, Wallene Dockery Leek, as well as many extended family and friends. A Celebration of Life and Home Going of John H. "Red" Dockery will be held at 11:00 a. m. Thursday, January 24, 2013 in the chapel of Fike Funeral Home with Pastor Jim Gibson officiating. Interment will follow in Hilcrest Memorial Gardens with Rudy Ownbey, Jim Ownbey, Steve Gibson, Gary Gibson, Johnny Mull, Billy Maples, Trey Dockery, Larry Dockery and J.J. Link serving as pallbearers. The service will conclude with a white dove release ceremony. His family will receive friends from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at the funeral home. The family suggests that memorials/donations in honor of John H. "Red" Dockery may be sent to: The Rex Dockery Foundation Scholarship in c/o Rodgers Group, 400 Stuart Road, Cleveland, TN 37312 We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Dockery family guestbook at www.fikefh.com