Clarke Allan Haggett

Clarke Allan Haggett, 82, of Maryville, Tennessee, passed away peacefully at his home on April 25, 2023.

He was born on August 5, 1940, in Salem, Massachusetts to Wilbur and Mabel (Little) Haggett. He married his beloved wife, Karen (Fitch), in 1972 and celebrated 50 years of marriage on May 6, 2022. They had two children, Kelly and Kristen. Clarke’s life was full, honorable, and rewarding.

He was a renowned professional drummer starting in his mid-teens. He joined the United States Air Force and served from 1960-1964 as an In-Flight Refueling Specialist (Boom Operator) on the KC-97 strategic tanker aircraft. He was stationed at Dow AFB, Bangor, Maine. Clarke was on alert with the Strategic Air Command, and then airborne during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Clarke had quite the privilege of being one of the men that served his Country with pride and honor.

And from 1975-1976 he served in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard.

Clarke was hired by Allegheny Airlines (USAir) in 1969. And in 1981, he became the Customer Service Manager at McGhee Tyson Airport, Knoxville, Tennessee. He then retired in 1995.

He was an avid reader and had stacks of books piled near his reading corner in the living room. He was spiritually grounded and spent hours reading the Bible, along with inspirational literature such as the writings from, Pope John Paul II and Pope Saint Benedict XVI. He also thoroughly enjoyed anything that pertained to U.S. history, and the Founding

Fathers.

He had a natural-born gift as an artist and musician.

Clarke would spend countless hours painting with watercolors or sketching portraits, while listening to his jazz music playing in the background. His love for music was endless. After high school Clarke went on the road to play backup on the drums for his brother, and sister-in-law, Bill and Midge Haggett, (who were professional dancers on Broadway). He played countless venues and stages throughout the country. He also played backup for such artists as Sammy Davis Jr., and Fabian, and countless others of that era.

Even as of recent, you could still hear him wailing away on the drums downstairs, and the jazz music naturally was flowing.

He loved the sounds of Frank Sinatra (his idol and whom he met),Bing Crosby, Billie Holiday, Diana Krall, Buddy Rich, Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong, Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, Duke Ellington, Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Tony Bennett, Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey , Manhattan Transfer, Dean Martin, Doc Severinsen, Sammy Davis Jr, and Nat King Cole, etc. He would occasionally take a break from listening to jazz and tune into his classical music as well.

Clarke had an enormous admiration for trains beginning in his early childhood through his adult life. As a little boy, he spent a lot of his free time at the train station in Marblehead, MA. He would frequently ride his bicycle from home to the station and spend hours watching the trains come and go. Occasionally he would get into some trouble with the stationmaster for sneaking on the cars and would get thrown off.

Up to the present day he would often drive to Etowah, TN to watch the trains at the Etowah Railroad Depot.

He loved all trains but one of his favorites was the Union Pacific.

He loved finding solitude in the Smoky Mountains. He would take walks on several hiking trails and admire God’s creations. He found serenity in this beautiful environment. He would also capture his peaceful experiences with his skill in photography. The family will always treasure the breath-taking photos Clarke took chronicling the beauty of the Smokies. Clarke had such an incredible talent for almost anything he touched and was led through life by his incredible passion for creativity.

Clarke was a stalwart patriot and had an admiration for anything that had to do with the history of the United States, its military and its leaders. He was very fond of, General George S. Patton. He was fortunate to know him as a child because his grandmother, Gertrude Little, was the housekeeper for the Patton’s. General Patton would bounce him on his knee when he would visit with his Grandmother Little.

He was a lover of animals and they loved him. He always had the binoculars close by the dining room window in case there was a new bird or other animal outside. He took in a lot of injured birds and rabbits and nursed them back to health, along with the help of his family.

Together, they loved and adored the family cats through the years, Snowflake, Holly, Linus, and Thomas, all furry family members to us.

His most recent furry friend was the neighbor’s dog, Paddington. They had a special bond.

There was no denying that he loved his television. You could always count on hearing the news in the background when walking into the house. On the occasion that he was fed up with the news of the day he would watch one of his favorite westerns, The Lone Ranger or crime shows such as, Barney Miller, Law & Order, and Blue Bloods. Clarke, always enjoyed a good classic movie! Singing In the Rain, Anchors Aweigh, An American in Paris, A Christmas Carol starring George C. Scott, Top Hat,

Easter Parade, Holiday Inn, Blue Skies, Strategic Air Command, The Quiet Man, and anything with Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire.

He always loved a good cigar and a glass of wine every now and then. He was a true wine connoisseur, and loved educating people on the quality of wine.

He also loved a good sub sandwich or a hotdog on the grill, topped with lots of relish and onion with his favorite side of Cape Cod kettle chips and a root beer. And he never passed up an Italian dish. Two of his favorite dishes were, Lasagna, and Eggplant Parmesan.

Out of all of these things, he loved his family the most. Family was truly important to him. He cherished the time with them, and prayed God’s blessings on them. The family misses him tremendously. He has left a hole in everyone’s hearts. His legacy will live on through his family, and friends forever, until are all reunited.

He is survived by his wife, Karen (Fitch) Haggett, and his children, Kelly Haggett of Maryville, Tennessee, Kristen Watkins and husband (Josh) of Florida, Steven Haggett and wife, (Lisa) of Florida, Scott Haggett and wife (Vicki) of Maine. Grandchildren, Elise Watkins, Jacob Watkins, Cory Haggett (Lauren), Craig Haggett (Angie), and Kyle Haggett. Clarke’s older brother, Frederick (Ted) Haggett of Massachusetts, and sister, Jane Vlasuk and husband (John) of New Hampshire, and many several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur and Mabel (Little) Haggett. His brother, Wilbur “Bill” Haggett and wife,(Midge) and his sister Carolyn Merrill (Howard).

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 3, at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 858 Louisville Rd, Alcoa, TN, from 9:00 am-11:00am. Funeral mass follows at 11:00 am.

Family and friends will meet at 11:00 am for the interment, which will be held on Thursday, May 4, at East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 2200 East Gov. John Sevier Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37920, with Military Honors. All are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to one of Clarke’s favorite charities, Saint Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, and The Gary Sinise Foundation.

The family would like to thank the phenomenal care that Clarke received at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, UT Hospice Services, and Blount Memorial Hospital.