W.G. ”Sonny” Dement, a long-time resident and businessman from Jackson, TN, went to be with his heavenly Father on Monday, August 12, 2024.
Born in Jackson, TN in 1939, Sonny was raised in rural Northwest TN on a farm near Kenton, TN by parents who instilled the time-honored values of faith, hard work, honesty and generosity. After graduation from High School in 1958, Sonny married Carolyn Beth Snyder of Trenton, TN and thus began their journey of 66 years of life together, one that saw them raise five children, ten grandchildren along with nine great-grandchildren and counting.
Sonny left the family farm in 1959 and pursued employment with Michael Construction Company as a field office clerk, beginning work on the original construction of Interstate I-40 at Hollywood Drive, a project that carried on across the South Fork Forked Deer River to the west in Madison County. After continuous involvement in a multitude of highway construction projects all across the State of Tennessee in the early 1960’s, he and his family settled for good in Jackson, TN in 1968 where he began work with Bowyer-Johnson-Kimes Construction Company as a bridge superintendent, eventually rising to the position of general manager of construction for that organization.
Sonny launched Dement Construction Company, Inc. in May 1977 and perpetuated a five decade plus period of successfully completing hundreds of significant transportation projects ranging across all four regions of Tennessee and throughout the states of Alabama and Mississippi. His legacy of excellence in highway construction was made possible by the thousands of committed and loyal employees and their families over the years, many of which were multi-generational. In addition, his love for cattle, row crops and hunting never waned. He was always ready to “grab a bite to eat,” see a movie or enjoy a sweet treat with a friend.
Sonny and Beth were faithful members of Woodland Baptist Church for over 56 years and during that time they saw their family grow to include their five children and spouses: Bill (Katherine), Alan (Betsy), Joe Dement, Caryn Turner (Brent) and Jason (Kirsten). He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Lynn Payne (Geoff).
As an innovator with a long-term vision, Sonny’s impactful legacy helped to lay the foundation for much of the economic success enjoyed today by communities throughout this region of our country and will live on through his loving family and many friends.
The Celebration of Life service will take place on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at 2:00PM at Woodland Baptist Church in Jackson. A Reception for all will immediately follow in the Fellowship Hall at Woodland
Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to: Union University, Office of Advancement, 1050 Union University Dr. Jackson, TN 38305. www.UU.edu/advancement/giving/
Arrington Funeral Directors, 148 W. University Parkway, Jackson, TN 38305
