Franklyn Wynne “Tony” Plemmons, age 86, born September 8, 1924 in Asheville, NC and formerly of Oglethorpe, GA, residing in Marble, NC passed away Thursday, November 25, 2010 at his residence.
Affectionately called “Tony” by his family and friends, Tony was very proud of his Native American heritage as an enrolled member of the Ioway Tribe of KS and NE. He was also a decorated veteran of WWII serving in the US Army Air Corps in the Pacific Theater with the 7th Air Force, 11th bomb group, 431st squadron as Flight Engineer and machine gunner on a B-24 bomber participating in 40 combat missions. He earned several Air Medals and was also awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
After the war Tony followed construction work as an electrician. Later he was employed by Crane Company in Chattanooga, TN as Maintenance Superintendent and then joined Rockwell International for a short time in their Chattanooga foundry as Plant Engineer. He then began a career in industrial sales joining Hughes Equipment Company in Chattanooga and later beginning his own business, Plemmons Engineered Products Company (PEPCO) and sister company, Osage, Inc. both based in Ft. Oglethorpe, GA.
In his later years Tony and his wife, Nancy (a member of the Easter Band of Cherokee) owned and operated Brasstown Valley Native American Gallery in Young Harris and Blue Ridge, GA specializing in all handmade, fine quality Native American crafts and jewelry. When Tony’s health began to fail, they retired to Cherokee tribal land outside of Marble, NC.
Tony was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar C. and Ethel Louise Osage Sponomore Plemmons; wife, Della Aileen Cogdill Plemmons; daughter, Donna Teresa Plemmons; brothers, Roi Plemmons, Boyce Plemmons and Julian Plemmons; sisters, Donna Plemmons, Betty Merrell and Beatrice Duncan.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy Bradley Plemmons; daughters, Brenda L. Plemmons of Ft. Oglethorpe, GA, Linda G. Plemmons of Marble, NC and Leeann Bridges of Sylva, NC; sons, Steve Plemmons and his wife, Tonya of Rossville, GA and Eric Yule and his wife, Melba; sisters, Jeanne Sullins of Waycross, GA, Lorraine Conner of Fairview, NC and Judyth Emrick of Clermont, FL; brothers, Kay F. Plemmons of Bartlesville, OK, Zane Plemmons of San Antonio, TX; best friend and buddy, Will Martin; nine grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside Services and burial were at 2:00 PM, Saturday, November 27, 2010 at Martin Family Cemetery. Tribal Elder Walker Calhoun officiated. A Native American Ceremony and military graveside rites was conducted by Tsalagi Warriors. Pallbearers were Cory Stephens, Darrell Brown, Ronnie Phillips, Frankie Bottchenbaugh, Matt McHattie and Darren Smith.
The family received friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Friday, November 26, 2010 at Townson-Rose Funeral Home in Murphy, NC.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be to Alzheimers Foundation Research, 3 Louisiana Avenue, Asheville, NC, 28806-3419.
You may send tributes to the Plemmons family at www.townson-rose.com. Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.