Obituary of Fred Brockette Jr

Fred “Butch” Brockette Jr., known affectionately as “Pap”, age 77, of Lebanon, passed away at his home on July 24, 2023 surrounded by family. The Funeral Service, conducted by Pastor Jeff Pratt, Brother Darrin Reynolds and Brother Will Crum, is 1 p.m. Thursday, July 27, 2023 at Immanuel Baptist Church (214 Castle Heights Ave) Lebanon TN. Interment in Wilson County Memorial will follow the service. Pallbearers: Ty Summerlin, Justan Willoughby, John House, Ryan House, Mike Wilson, Ken Marler, Mike Price, Phillip Allison,Tony Dedman, and Trez Jackson. Honorary Pallbearers: Tommy House, Bobby Patton, the Brockette Sunday School Class, the Gideons, and the Immanuel Golf Team. The family will be receiving friends at Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon TN, on Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. and at Immanuel Baptist Church on Thursday from 11 a.m. until the service at 1 p.m.

Fred Harold Brockette Jr. was born in Baltimore, Maryland, to Margaret Ann Cox and Fred Brockette Sr.  The family moved to Carthage TN when Fred was very young. He graduated from Carthage High, Class of 1964, then moved to Lebanon TN. Fred had a passion for softball, baseball and basketball; he played City Leagues, Church Leagues, any league he could.

He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam era, in the Panama Canal. He received an Honorable Discharge as an E-5 Sergeant. After returning from the service, he immediately started working with South Central Bell. He retired from AT&T as an Engineer after 41 years.

Mr. Brockette had a servant’s heart and put it to good use in the Lebanon community his entire life.  Mr. Brockette was a devout and beloved Sunday School teacher at Immanuel Baptist Church for more than 40 years. He was known to many at church as the candy man as he never left home without mints or candy in his pocket. He was a member of the Gideons and was involved in Kiwanis Little League baseball for many years. In his spare time, he enjoyed golfing, wood working and feeding birds. Feeding birds was as much a pleasure as it was a mission. Mr. Brockette was a towering presence with a heart of gold. He could always be counted on to blow leaves from the neighbor’s driveways, mow yards, change lightbulbs, whatever was needed.

Mr. Brockette is survived by his partner and loving wife of 50 plus years, Jeri House Brockette; daughters: Kim (Ty) Summerlin and Karen Brockette; siblings; Brent (Irene) Hall, Eddie (Gail) Hall, Dianna (Terry Shane) Dillehay, Ronnie (Janice) Brockette, Patty (Steve) Holt, and Randy (Stephanie) Brockette; grandchildren: Kiersten, Bryleigh, Hope, and Alex; great-grandchildren: Trez and Kobe; and many beloved nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by son Kevin Brockette, father Fred Brockette Sr., mother Margaret Brockette McWhirter, step-father Frank McWhirter, sister Reba Fisher, and brother Jerry Hall.

Arrangements by Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon TN, 615.444.9393.