Robert Tomerlin

Robert Dalton Tomerlin, age 86, passed away at this home on August 19, 2020, following a brief illness. The youngest son of James Walter and Lillie Mae Dickey Tomerlin, he was born in the Rose Hill community on December 26, 1933. He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Peggy Dugger Tomerlin, his daughter, Katherine Tomerlin Cardinal, his siblings, Earl Tomerlin, Carl Tomerlin, J.C. Tomerlin, Hessie Campbell, Elizabeth Wharton, Hazel Johnson and Mae Pilkinton. Mr. Tomerlin is survived by his daughter, Victoria Tomerlin Gattis (Tom), and his son Robert Steven Tomerlin, all of Pulaski. Two grandsons, Zachary Gattis (Bridgett) of Lawrenceburg, TN and John Tomerlin Gattis (Dane) of Bloomfield, New Jersey and three great-granddaughters, Eliana, Madeline and Lillian Gattis, of Lawrenceburg also survive, as well as nephews and nieces. He was a Korean War veteran, having served in the United States Navy on the USS Hanna, a destroyer escort for aircraft carriers. The USS Hanna launched repeated strikes against the Communists, and earned five battle stars to her credit during the Korean War before being decommissioned in 1959. Mr. Tomerlin began his career in mechanical engineering/draftsman at Brown-Hayes, a part of the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL in 1961. He received citations for his work on the Mercury rocket ship, as well as his contributions to the design of the seats on Apollo 9. He ended his long career at Richland Steel, at the age of 78, but later said he thought he had retired "too early." For the past two years, he was a regular at computer classes at the Giles County Library. Known for his wonderful sense of humor, quick wit, love of the Tennessee River, fishing, a good bargain, and all things Studebaker, Mr. Tomerlin will be missed by family and friends. Graveside services will be held on Friday, August 21, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. in Giles Memory Gardens, Pulaski, TN, with entombment to follow. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, or the Rural Food Delivery Program of Giles County, 114 North 3rd Street, Pulaski, TN, 38478. Carr & Erwin Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Robert Dalton Tomerlin please visit our Sympathy Store.