Fred McCorkle Obituary

Fred Stewart McCorkle, Jr. serenely rose into Heaven on September 28th, 2023, following a courageous battle with bladder cancer and pneumonia. Today, Stewart finds himself surrounded by loved ones: his wife of 65 years, Lucy McCorkle, his beloved daughter-in-law, Nancy McCorkle, and many other family and friends.

Stewart was born on April 9th, 1925, in Malvern, Arkansas. His father, Fred Sr., his namesake, was a devoted Presbyterian preacher who infused his love for the Lord into his dear son. At age 18, after graduating Knox Central High School in Knoxville, Tennessee, Stewart was drafted to fight the Axis powers in WWII. He trained to become a mortarman (firing the M2 mortar) and was quickly deployed to Europe where he was in combat for nearly 2 years, fighting across France, Austria, and Germany, liberating several concentration camps along the way. Stewart - somewhat miraculously given many close calls during battle - survived the war and arrived back in Tennessee where he enrolled at the University of Tennessee the day after returning from Europe as an aspiring accountant, and quickly married his high-school sweetheart, Lucy. Upon graduation in 1948, Stewart went on to practice as a Certified Public Accountant in Kingsport, Tennessee for over 40 years, becoming a respected partner at his firm and winning election as the President of the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants in 1969. From his time in the army to his career in accounting, Stewart saw it as a privilege to serve both his nation and his community.

A never-abating love for the Lord, Stewart was an active member of the Northeast Church of Christ during his 64 years in Kingsport. Following Lucy's death, Stewart moved to Texas, and subsequently became an active member of St. Andrews Methodist Church for 10 years.

Soon after arriving at the Conservatory, Stewart was introduced to and quickly developed a special friendship with Anita Ballentine, which lasted until his passing. He and Anita found great joy being together; especially attending services at St. Andrews - whether it be in person or virtually from the comfort of their apartments.

To describe Stewart's impact on his family and friends in a paragraph is certainly unfeasible. He carried many roles - husband, father, son, father-in-law, friend, mentor, sweetheart - and he approached each title with unequivocal kindness and insight. Stewart knew that good-witted humor is the universal solvent against the abrasive elements of life. He was poor in misfortune and rich in happiness. He sought to understand before he made himself understood. Stewart was also the epitome of a true southern gentleman - embracing chivalrous qualities and ensuring he modeled good behavior and manners, imparting those qualities on his beloved family. He loved all-things Tennessee, from reading the Kingsport Daily News late into his 90s to attending football games at Neyland Stadium with his son, Stewart, and grandsons, Parker and Taylor. He found great joy in twice-a-week meals with his son, who he'd nicknamed "Corky", daily visits and quality time with his beloved Anita, and frequent phone calls from his grandson Parker, where much foresight and acumen was gifted. He was also very proud of his older grandson, Taylor, for being the first doctor in the McCorkle family. Stewart was a lover of all-things southerly, where the tea was sweet and accents are sweeter, front porches were wide and words are longer; toilets were johnny's & men were fellers…but most of all, God was King and Stewart was imparting wisdom through his example, not his opinion.

Stewart is survived by his son, Stewart "Corky" McCorkle of Plano, Texas, his grandsons Taylor McCorkle of Anchorage, Alaska, and Parker McCorkle, of Austin, Texas, and their grandmother (mother of daughter-in-law Nancy McCorkle), Dee Smith of Plano, TX.

The family is having a Celebration of Life service at The Conservatory Senior Living community in Plano, Texas, in the Great Room on Sunday, October 8th, at 2PM.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please make a donation to either the Salvation Army or Northeast Church of Christ in Kingsport, Tennessee.