Mr. David Earl Locke, 94, died Wednesday, October 2, 2019 at NHC Maury Regional Transitional Care Center.
David was born the youngest son to Lindsey Locke, a blacksmith for the Illinois Central Railroad, and his wife Pearl Miller Locke on November 23, 1924 in Paducah, Kentucky. David weathered the hardest years of the Great Depression and survived the 1937 flood of the Ohio River. David was very active with the Boy Scouts of America up until he left in 1943 to serve in the U.S. Navy during the Second World War. David served as a rear turret gunner on a Grumman Avenger torpedo bomber in Composite Squadron VC-69, a naval squadron purposed with the task of running Anti-Submarine operations along the North African and Northwest European coast. In May of 1944, David’s Plane went down due to hydraulic failure in its landing gear 1300 miles due west of Dakar, Senegal; he spent two days in submarine infested waters until another jeep carrier managed to brave its way through to pick his crew up. Composite Squadron VC-69 was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation after having sunk the Japanese Submarine I-52. David was honorably discharged from service in 1946 at the rank of Aviation Machinist’s Mate, 3 rd Class.
On March 26, 1950, he married his beloved wife, Jean McMurray who preceded him in death November 7, 2013. Mr. Locke worked in retail and sales management after the war, and in 1961 he moved his family to Columbia, Tennessee to take a job at Porter Walker in industrial sales. He later worked for Frank & Sons, Inc. headquartered in New York, NY as National Sales Manager and Vice President. He started Mail Call as well as working with A-Z Office Resources. In 1987, Mr. Locke was hired by the Saturn Corporation to provide logistical feedback as well as acting as a liaison between Saturn and Maury County. In this capacity, Mr. Locke was pleased to extend the full degree of hospitality and neighborly welcome to the many Saturn employees and their families moving into the area.
David was an avid golfer at Graymere Country Club, a seasoned trombone player with the Maury County Community Band, and an active member on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club.
David was a dedicated member of First Presbyterian Church where he had served as an Elder on the Session and had enjoyed singing in the choir. David loved his church, his family, and his friends and was always quick to tell you that he had been tremendously blessed.
In addition to his parents, Lindsey and Pearl Locke, and wife, Jean McMurray Locke, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Louis Locke and Paul Locke; and sisters, Ruby Wise and Clara Howell.
David is survived by his daughters, Jean McMurray Ball and Sally Locke Barr (Gene) both of Columbia; son, David Ramsey Locke (Delisa) of Franklin; he was affectionately known as Poppa by his grandchildren, Benjamin Ball (Heather) of Nashville; Connor Locke Ball (Lindsey) and Sarah Ball Holt (Danny) both of Franklin; Gene Barr Jr. and David Whitson Barr both of Columbia; Reed McMurray Locke and William Ramsey Locke both of Franklin; and great grandchildren, Ellison McKinley Ball, Eli Alexander Ball, Rylan Elizabeth Ball, Daniel McMurray Holt all of Franklin; and Caroline Kennemer Ball of Nashville.
Mr. Locke’s family would like to express their deep appreciation for the loving and dedicated care he received from Dr. Andrew Nielson and the nurses, technicians, and staff who attended him during his time at NHC Maury Regional Transitional Care. Additionally, they would like to express their gratitude for the dear friendship of Mr. Ron Neal.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, October 9 th at 11:30 A.M. at First Presbyterian Church. The family will visit with friends Tuesday, October 8th from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. at the church. Oakes & Nichols Funeral Directors are assisting the family with arrangements.
The family suggests memorials to The First Presbyterian Church, 801 South High Street, Columbia, TN 38401. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandichols.com.
