Edward Sullivan

Edward L Sullivan, 88, Passed away September 23, 2017 at Uffleman Estates in Clarksville, TN after a long, joyful, and accomplished life full of loving relationships.

Visitation will be Friday September 29th between 4pm-6:30pm with a Vigil and Rosary to be at 7pm at Sykes Funeral Home 424 Franklin St. Clarksville, TN.  The Funeral Mass will be at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Saturday September 30 at 10 am in the main church. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery 984 Greenwood AV, Clarksville, TN.Mr. Sullivan was a native of Des Moines, IA, and grew up in Goshen, IN. He was the son of the late Louis Sullivan and Myrtle Blair Sullivan. He was preceded in death by brothers, Louis, Bearl, Dr. Daniel, Paul, sisters, Jane Tilton and Julia Pestow.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Anitra (Snipe) Sullivan of Palmyra, TN; Children: Barbara Sullivan & Richard Starkey of Wind Lake, WI, Edward Patrick & Lorna Sullivan of Zion, IL, Sue & Bob Karpinez of Clarksville, TN, Michael & Chris Sullivan of Seminole, FL, Terrance & Lynette Sullivan of Charleston, SC, Helen & Victor Cordier of Madison, AL, Hilary Sullivan (and fiancé, Theresa Williamson) of Clarksville, TN, and Jane & Jay Brand of Clarksville, TN. In addition, he leaves a legacy of 18 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and one great, great-grandchild.

In his early years, Mr. Sullivan was an Eagle Scout, Alter Boy, and was active in his church and community. In High School he was a four year Varsity letter recipient in Track and Cross Country.  Upon graduation from Goshen High School in 1947, he received a Navy ROTC scholarship to attend the University of Mississippi, graduating in 1951 with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. He met his wife, Anitra Snipe, through the Newman clubs of University of Alabama, and Ole Miss, and they were married in 1951 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Tuscaloosa, AL.

In 1951, he was drafted into the Marine Corps where he worked his way up to Sergeant in seven months, and then entered Officer Screening course where he earned his commission. He served in Korea, and as a member of the Marine Corps Reserve for fourteen years, achieving the rank of Captain.

After serving with the Marine Corps, he became an Executive of the Boy Scouts of America in the South Chicago Region in IL. He earned his Electronics Engineering Degree from La Salle Extension University, and then went to work for Civil Service on the Nike guided missile program.  As a Nike guided missile specialist, he became one of the nation’s foremost experts on the Nike guided missile radar systems where he worked in White Sands NM, and in the Chicago region.

Continuing in Civil Service, he worked in various positions and locations including Deputy Installation Maintenance Officer, Fort Sheridan, IL; Air traffic Control Supervisor, O’Hare Field, Chicago, and culminated his career as Installation Maintenance Officer at Fort Campbell, KY in support of the 101st Airborne Division. In these rolls, he maintained divisional, equipment and material readiness at near 100 percent. When inspected, his operations regularly scored among the highest in the Army.  He was consistently recognized for his outstanding leadership, dedication, and contributions to the readiness, and excellence achieved for the 101st Airborne Division. During his time with Civil Service he attended Roosevelt University in Chicago where he earned his MS in Public Administration, graduating Summa Cum Laude. He retired from Civil Service after over 30 years of dedicated service.

After retirement, Mr. Sullivan was an avid artisan, a master woodcarver, and was a charter member of the Tennessee Woodcarver’s Association. He carved, and donated, a complete set of the Stations of the Cross to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Clarksville, TN where they are still visited in their garden today. His work can be found in many churches throughout the Middle Tennessee area. He was also invited by First Lady Laura Bush to create, and carve, a Christmas ornament for the White House Christmas Tree in 2001, for which he received a personal thank you letter from the President, and an invitation to the White house for a reception.  He was active in his community including the local Kiwanis International chapter, serving as President. In addition, he was active at Immaculate Conception Church in the Knights of Columbus, as a Eucharistic Minister, and where he practiced as a Secular Franciscan helping to serve the elderly and sick when they were unable to get out.

His most enduring legacy is that he taught his children to love and serve the Lord, and our Nation. He would teach: “God, Nation, Family, in that order”! He instilled in them a strong work ethic, and a solid foundation of stewardship for their families, friends, and communities.

Donations may be sent in his name to:
Father Charles Mathew, OFM
St. John’s Medical College Hospital
Sarjapur Rd
Bangalore 560034, India