Dr. David Sammons, age 74 of Union City, Tennessee, formerly of Whiteville, departed this life Friday, October 12, 2018.
Dr. Sammons was born Sunday, September 3, 1944 in Brownsville, Tennessee to the late Julius Sammons, Jr. and Ola Belle Simpson Sammons. On Saturday, September 19, 1987, he was united in marriage to Carla Gutknecht, who survives. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughters, Kimberly Sammons of Nashville, and Rhea Sammons Jost (Jacob) of Rochester, IL; son, Justin Sammons of Union City; sisters, Jeanette Sammons Norment (Bev) of Miramar Beach, FL, and Camille Sammons O'Neill (Edmond) of Pinson; brother, Lee Sammons (Lynn) of Whiteville; former wife, Barbara Carter Sammons of Nashville; and grandchildren, Madison Wissert and Alexander Wissert, both of Nashville, Warren, Lena and Calvin Jost, all of Rochester, IL, and Gemma Jay Sammons of Union City. He was preceded in death by his parents, as well as his stepmother, Elizabeth Stewart Sammons.
Prior to his retirement in 2013, he was a professor as well as the Department Chair of Biology at the University of Tennessee at Martin. He was a businessman and entrepreneur of several biomedical research companies. After retirement, he became a full time farmer. He was also a veteran of the United States Army.
Charitable contributions made in Dr. Sammons' memory may be sent to the Lee Ola Roberts Library, 140 West Main Street, Whiteville, TN 38075.