Jack Earl Tester, age 71, of Elizabethton, Tennessee passed away on Tuesday, May 28, 2019. Jack was born in Bristol, Virginia to the late Thomas Earl Tester and Emma Lou Williams Tester. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Fred Tester.
Jack, along with his wife, owned and operated Best Portraits in Elizabethton for the past 22 years. During those 22 years he served as the exclusive photographer for many schools, which he cherished dearly. He loved working with the staff and students of West Side and East Side Elementary, Harold McCormick, Hampton and Cloudland Elementary, Valley Forge Elementary, Fairmont Elementary, Mt.
Carmel Elementary, Pikeville Elementary and High School, Letcher County Central and Belfry High School. He was a member of Southside Christian Church and had previously served as a Deacon and most recently he was serving as an Elder. Jack was a member, and past president, of the Carter County Car Club and was instrumental in starting the Car Club to its present location in the historic downtown Elizabethton.
He had a passion for helping people in need and those who were homeless, volunteering at shelters and helping transport homeless families to their destination. Jack went through the Carter County Citizen’s Police Academy, kayaking, gardening, and was an avid Elizabethton Cyclone’s Girls’ Basketball fan. He loved biking and once rode 70 miles on a stationary bike to commemorate his 70th birthday.
Those left to cherish his memory include his loving and devoted wife (and best friend) Vella Chambers Tester, of the home; a son, John Thomas Tester, of Atlanta, GA; a daughter, Tiffani Tester Dixon and husband Brandon, of Maryville, TN; one granddaughter, Marielle Dixon, of Maryville, TN; a brother, Gary Tester and wife Lisa, of Chattanooga, TN; and a sister-in-law, Vivian Tester, of Bristol, TN. Several nieces and nephews also survive. A service to celebrate and honor the life of Jack Earl Tester will be conducted at 7:00 PM on Friday, May 31, 2019 in the Chapel of Peace at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton with Mr. Michael Koruschak, minister, officiating.
Mrs. Juanita Spangler will provide a eulogy. Music will be provided by Joel Crisp and No Name But His. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM in the funeral home chapel, prior to the service on Friday.
The graveside service will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 1, 2019 at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Tim Timbs, Brandon Dixon, Joe Brooks, Danny Simerly, Buddy Chambers, Gary Johnson, Wesley Johnson and Jeff Chambers. Honorary pallbearers will be Dennis Berry, Tommy Jenkins, Pat Hicks, Greg Stone, Juanita Spangler, Regenia Skinner, Larry Merritt, Bill Hampton, Jody Crowe, Mike Chambers, Andrew McKeehan and Angie Bowman.
Those wishing to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at Tetrick Funeral Home of Elizabethton at 10:15 AM on Saturday, to go in procession. Online condolences may be shared with the family on our website, www. tetrickfuneralhome.com Jack and his family are in the care of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton.
Office 423-542-2232, service information line, 423-543-4917. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Jack Earl Tester please visit our Sympathy Store.
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