March 31 1952 May 12 2020
Obituary CW3 (Ret.) Raymond F. Shumate – 68 of Sevierville passed away in LeConte Medical Center on May 12, 2020 after a short illness. He was born March 31, 1952 in Conway, Arkansas to the Late Eugene Shumate and Mary C. Guthrie. He began his distinguished military career in Ft. Belvoir, Virginia in May 1970 and completed his Basic Combat training at Ft. Jackson, SC in July 1970 after which he entered Advanced Individual Training at Ft. Gordon, Georgia where he attended the Telecommunications Center Specialist Course graduating in November 1970 in the top 10% of his class achieving the rank of E3 upon completion. Ray was then assigned as a Telecommunications Center Terminal Operator for the fixed Signal Operations Company at Ft. Richardson, Alaska where he served until his promotion to Tactical Communications Center Operator/Company Clerk in February of 1971 receiving the rank of E5. In July 1971 he was promoted to Company Clerk for Company A, 33rd Signal Battalion at Ft. Richardson serving as the commander’s driving and recorder for the unit fund council serving in this capacity until May 1972. In June 1972 he was promoted to Section Sgt. for the Telecommunications Center and became the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) for the telecommunications section. Upon his promotion he was responsible for 14 personnel, numerous vehicles. In August 1972 he was tasked to provide communications support or the 172nd Infantry Brigade at King Salmon, Alaska. In October 1972, he was reclassified and appointed to be an SP5 and reassigned to the S1 office of the battalion where he served as the Admin NCO in the absence of the Battalion PSNCO. In 1973 he was assigned to be the company clerk for the 118th Assault Helicopter Company at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii where he established all the records for the division and was in charge of training NCO. In April 1974 he was assigned to be the Admin NCO for the division. He oversaw the administrative section of the battalion and Education and Reenlistment NCO. In June 1975, he was promoted to Staff Sergeant as an E-7 for the HQS 25th Combat Aviation Battalion in Schofield Barracks, Hawaii and reassigned as the Personnel Staff NCO overseeing 6 personnel and the S-1 section. He was responsible for the processing and assisting in financial and personnel matters for a battalion of four companies with a total of 560 assigned personnel. In 1976 he was reassigned to be the NCOIC Personnel Actions officer in Ft. Belvoir, Virginia and was working in the Adjutant General’s office. In August, 1977 Ray was appointed as a Reserve Warrant Officer upon his reenlistment and was assigned to Ft. Jackson, SC where he served until 1980. In January 1985 he completed Warrant Officer Senior Training followed by Administrative Senior Warrant Office Training in April 1985. In 1986 he served in the 528th US Army Artillery Group in Turkey being reassigned to Ft. Jackson to the Adjutant General’s office at Ft. Jackson. He returned to serve in Turkey in 1990 retiring in May 1990 just prior to receiving the rank of CW4. During his illustrious career he received numerous awards for service including the Meritorius Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon and the Overseas Service Ribbon. In addition to his military career, he was instrumental in the formation of Parrott’s Chapel Community Fire Department and served as Division Chief for the fire department. He served as the President of the Angler’s Woods Homeowners Association. Ray was a master wood crafter and was known for his carving of wildlife and received numerous awards for his carvings. He was preceded in death by his parents, a Step-Father James Levi Guthrie, Sr. and a nephew Jeremy Scott Shumate. Survivors include: Loving Wife of 37 years Cheri Shumate Sevierville, TN 2 Daughters Angela Shumate Sevierville, TN Amy Lucero (Matt) Warrenton, VA Son Jonnie Shumate (Tab) Cleveland, TN 2 Brothers Rev. Eddie Shumate (Helen) Eatonton, GA Rev. Dr. James L. Guthrie, Jr (Linda) Valdosta, GA 9 Grandchildren Neenah Shumate, Esther Shumate, Paul Shumate, Jade Shumate, all of Cleveland, TN, Mathew Shumate, Tyler Shumate and Hailey Givens of Sevierville, TN, Gabriel Lucero and Maddie Lucero of Warrenton, VA. 1 Great Grandson Liam Ray Shumate Sevierville, TN Niece, nephew, extended family and friends In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made to “The American Cancer Society” in honor of Raymond. 871 Weisgarber Road, Knoxville, TN 37909 (865-584-1668) Private family visitation will be held at Atchley Funeral Home in Sevierville, TN with a public memorial service to be held when Coronavirus restrictions are lifted. Arrangements by Atchley Funeral Home, Sevierville. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.atchleyfuneralhome.com. Events There are no events scheduled.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Raymond Floyd Shumate March 31 1952 May 12 2020.
Death notice for the town of: Sevierville, state: Tennessee