Everett C. Brock Jr., 92, of Clinton died Feb. 29 at Tennova Hospice.
He was a member of McMinnville First Baptist Church, Clinton Rotary Club, Scottish Rite, Kerbela Shrine, Jesters, and Masonic Lodge in Knoxville. He attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville until he decided to volunteer in the United States Marine Corps during World War II as a bomb and ammunition disposal specialist. In 1964, he joined with the late Don Ward in promoting the first mall craft fair in the nation at the East Gate Mall in Chattanooga. He proceeded in organizing craft fairs in the southeastern part of the United States. In 1976 he joined with the late Hal Regan and together they organized the Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fairs and continued this endeavor until the death of Mrs. Regan in 1988. In 1988 he formed the Smoky Mountain Winery, the first winery in Tennessee and today this winery is the largest producer of premium wines in the state.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Cornelia Brock, and brother Edward Lloyd Brock.
He is survived by wife Marie Brock of Clinton, sons Everett Brock III and wife Sally, James Womack Brock, William Barry Brock and wife Michelle, all of McMinnville, stepson Michael Wayne Hatmaker and wife Kimberly of Rocky Top, grandchildren Denton Brock and wife Shea, Barry Brock and wife Maria, Mary Wade and husband Chris, Gracie and John Brock, Brittany Campbell and Cody, great-grandchildren Coen and Rory Brock, Daniel, Aaron, and Luke Troglen, Ezra and Finn Campbell, sister-in-laws Faye Parks, Jean and husband Rev. Bill Sharpe, and brother-in-law Lynn Parks.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Holley Gamble Funeral Home with a Masonic Service to follow in the chapel. His graveside will be 11 a.m., Friday at Grandview Memorial Garden with full military honors at graveside. Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of arrangements, holleygamble.com.