CARL O. (DUKE) LAWHORN, passed away Memorial day, May 28, 2012. He was born April 30, 1922 in Charleston West Virginia to Carl and Mamie Lawhorn. He lived in Charleston until he moved his family to Knoxville, Tennessee in 1962 after being transferred from Union Carbide in South Charleston to the Nuclear Division at the Y- 12 plant in Oak Ridge. He was a design engineer.
As he was entering the service in 1943, he was married to his high school sweetheart
Ruth Connor Lawhorn. Carl flew 51 missions with the Army Air Corps as a B-17 pilot with the 97th Bomb Group as part of the 15th Air Force and became squadron leader. He was stationed in Foggia, Italy, and his missions occurred over Europe. He participated in the first shuttle bombing missions between Italy and Russia over the Polesti oil fields. His fighter support included the Tuskeegee Airmen. Later he flew the 1st helicopters. Then he flew P-51's for the West Virginia Air National Guard. As a member of the reserves, he was the Battalion Aviation Officer in the Combat Engineers, and ended his career with the rank of Captain.
After taking early retirement from the Y-12 plant in Oak Ridge, he entered the hospitality business and owned two motels, the Dixie Lee Motel in Lenoir City and the Stardust Lodge in Brunswick, Georgia. He took his 2nd and final early retirement at age 52 upon selling the businesses.
He and his wife, Ruth, traveled to every state in the union as well as some overseas travel. Duke and Ruth played music and sang together for many years, and they left that gift to several members of the family. They both also had the gift of writing & poetry and amused many with their "dueling poems". His love for her through 64 years of marriage was great , and his life was diminished by her passing in 2007.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his late wife Ruth, and two siblings, Richard Lawhorn and Jo Ann Mallory, and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins and close friends.
He is survived by his sons Norman and wife Judy, Ron and his wife Bonnie, and Jeff and his wife Donna, as well as 8 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Special thanks to his special grandson , Sam Lawhorn, who cared for him over 5 years, Tressie, who was dedicated to his care, and for the assistance of Granddaughter, Ro. Special thanks also to those special friends, who enriched his life, Billie Jean, Mack, Jack, and fellow Veteran ,John Barnard.
Arrangements are being handled by Highland West Memorial Park, 9913 Sherrill Lane, Knoxville, TN 37920; phone number is 693-9547 (next to Brown Squirrel Furniture).
Services will be conducted by Reverend Gordon Ridenour on Thursday, May 31st. Visitation will begin at 1 pm, followed by the funeral service at 2 pm. The burial will immediately follow with full Military Honors.
If desired, Donations may be made to Concord United Methodist Church in lieu of flowers.
You may sign the online register book at www.highlandmemorialparks.com HIGHLAND WEST FUNERAL HOME (865) 693-9547
