Gary David Potter
Gary David Potter of Chattanooga, Tennessee, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 2, 2024.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Clara Potter.
Gary was a 1963 graduate of Red Bank High School. He proudly served our country in the National Guard. He retired from Combustion Engineering and from the Hamilton County Department of Education.
Gary will be remembered for loving people and for being a leader in his community. He retired from Combustion Engineering where he was a welder and the president of the Boilermakers Local 656 Union. In this role, he worked to gain better wages and working conditions for his colleagues. Gary's second career was teaching. He taught welding in the Hamilton County School System at Harrison Bay Vocational Center and East Ridge High School. He became involved in the HCEA and helped to negotiate contracts for local teachers. He also taught a midnight welding class at Chattanooga State and wrote training curriculum for Volkswagen. He loved his students and colleagues. Loving people and quietly leading others were the ways he served his Savior.
Gary had a keen interest in Native American artifacts and culture. He enjoyed restoring and admiring classic cars as well. One of his favorite past times was going to car shows and sitting on the side of the road watching all of the classic cars and trucks go by. Gary was artistic and creative. Not only could he create anything from metal, but he enjoyed constructing and customizing knives as a hobby and giving them to friends who touched his life. Throughout his life he shared The Gospel, enjoyed hearing and discussing God's Word, and gave his time and talents to those in need.
Gary loved his family, and most importantly, his family knew that he loved them. He is survived by his partner in life Darlene Johnston; her daughter and grandsons, Hailey Whitaker, James and Jacob; Former wife, Janie Young Potter; his son and daughter-in-law, David and Gina Potter; his three granddaughters, AnnaKate, Maggie (Jordan), and Kaylee; and many cousins, friends, and students.
There will be a private memorial service for family at the Hamilton Memorial Gardens. The family would like to say thank you to everyone who has shared Gary's wonderful life with us.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at stjude.org.