John E. Ackridge

John E. Akridge, Jr., 87, died peacefully at home in his sleep Wednesday, July 6, 2005. He had been ill for several months. Born February 7, 1918, in Knoxville, Tennessee, Johnny was the son of Charity Minerva Davis Akridge and John E. Akridge, Sr. He learned the furniture business as a youth from his father and spent over 60 years in the business, predominantly d/b/a Southern Household Supply on North Central Avenue in Knoxville, where he was known as “The Mayor of Happy Hollow.” He was a 1936 graduate of Knoxville High School. He served on active duty in the Army Air Corps during World War II in Nashville and California. He resided in Fountain City in the home he built until moving to Louisville on the lake in Blount County 15 years ago. He was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and supported a mission to build a church in Fortaleza, Brazil. He gave a lifetime of service to the Lions Club, serving as President of the following clubs: Fountain City, Downtown Knoxville, and North Maryville. The Lions Club International recognized him as a Melvin Jones Fellow for Humanitarian Service. He was instrumental in creating a pension for the Volunteer Blind Industries in Morristown. Johnny was predeceased by his sisters, Helen Cox of Hendersonville, NC, and Joyce Stewart, of Knoxville, TN. He leaves his wife of 66 years, Ruth DeRieux Akridge, and three sons, John E. Akridge, III, of Oxford, MD, D. Steven Akridge of Falls Church, VA, and James W. Akridge, of Newport News, VA. He leaves 8 grandchildren and twin great-grandsons. His progeny include 6 Eagle Scouts with two more expected this summer. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Friday, July 8th, at McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home, in Maryville. Broadway United Methodist Church will hold a memorial service Saturday at 2 p.m., July 9th. Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to the church at 309 East Broadway, Maryville, Tennessee 37804 (865) 982-6192. McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home, Inc. 982-6812