John Marion Dempsey, 82, passed away Thursday, June 18, 2009 at his home at Walking Horse Meadows, Clarksville, Tennessee. He was born in McCool, Mississippi, the son of John Samuel Dempsey and Sarah Alma Harden Dempsey, both of whom were descendants of pioneer Mississippi families. He was a 1948 graduate of Mississippi State University. He began his engineering career in Jackson, Mississippi with Michael Baker, Jr., Inc. Consulting Engineers, followed by the Mississippi Aeronautics Commission and the Federal Aviation Administration. He retired in 1995 after 30 years of service with the FAA. At the time of his retirement he was the Director of the Southwest Region Airports Branch of the Federal Aviation Administration. After retirement he completed a degree in Forestry and spent his time outdoors on his farm. He was an Episcopalian and a member of St. George’s Church, Germantown, Tennessee. He was a Mason, member of the Scottish Rite and Al Chymia Shrine Temple, Memphis, Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Kate Gladney Reed. He is survived by his children: Carol Beazley (Cooper), Clarksville, Tennessee; Nancy Telford (John), Clarksville, Tennessee; and Patrick Dempsey (Julie), Little Rock, Arkansas; Sisters: Mildred Grissom, McCool, Mississippi, Ethel Whittington, McCool, Mississippi, Evelyn Watkins (Coy), Carthage, Mississippi;and five grandchildren.
Services will be Sunday, June 21, at 3 pm at South Union United Methodist Church, Ackerman, Mississippi. Family visitation will be at the church from 2 pm until the time of service. Memorial donations can be made to the charity of one’s choice. Local arrangements to Neal-Tarpley Funeral Home 1510 Madison Street Clarksville, TN. 37040 (931)645-6488. Online condolences can be made at www.neal-tarpley.com.