Harry Melvin Huntoon

Harry Melvin Huntoon, after a brief time on hospice care, has gone home to be with his Heavenly Father. On Tuesday, Aug 23, 2022, Harry passed away at the home of his niece, Linda Huntoon, near Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was a 55-year resident of Manchester, TN, with his wife, Diana Moss Huntoon, who preceded him in death, in November 2017. He also, was preceded by his parents, Charles Clifford and Etta Jewell and his brother, Charles Thurston.

Harry was born August 26, 1935, in Chattanooga, grew up in Highland Park and graduated from Central High School. His parents, Cliff and Etta Huntoon, and his older brother, Thurston (Bud) and he were very involved with the Ridgedale church of Christ. He loved woodworking, and especially the well-equipped shop at the school, then located on Dodds Ave, where he was learned his amazing woodworking skills. It became a lifelong hobby for him, and many have benefited from his master talent. In the meantime, he took classes to prepare for his future of being a structural engineer.

Harry was close to his family, considered his father his best friend, and his brother and he were lifelong golfing buddies. Family time was always important. He grew up with Diana (his future wife) and she was the love of his life. They married in 1959. Harry graduated from Auburn University, in 1961, with an engineering degree, while co-oping at Combustion Engineering, in Chattanooga. He was in basic training, with the US Air Force, was classified as Critical Skills and remained in the USAF Reserve until 1967, working at Combustion, until 1966. They moved to Manchester, and both worked at Arnold Engineering, on the Air Force base in Tullahoma, until they both retired.

They never had children of their own but had many nieces and nephews that they spent time with, through the years. Harry was a fun-loving, quick-witted, positive thinking and special person, loved by so many.

Harry was very well-studied in the Bible and taught Bible classes and individuals for many years. He was looked up to and respected by countless people, at the two different congregations they attended, while in Manchester, at Main Street and at Hillsboro. He also was involved in various mission works.

He was a friend to so many and often spoke of his different friends, who were so special in his life, and he would tell how each had made a difference in the person he became. He truly loved and appreciated those friends and saw each as a blessing from God. The final congregation that Harry attended, the church at Ware Branch, grew to love him quickly, and he enjoyed the new friendships he made there. Harry will be missed greatly by so many, but heaven is much enriched.

A celebration of Harry Huntoon’s life will be held on Saturday, September 3, at 2pm EDT. Ware Branch church of Christ, 11203 Birchwood Pike, Harrison TN 37341. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tennessee Children’s Home.