John H. Eldridge, age 87, of Crossville passed away peacefully on April 5, 2017 after a long, hard-fought battle with Parkinson’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia.

John was born on December 1, 1929 in Overton County, Tennessee to Lester and Gertrude Eldridge. He was raised with seven brothers and five sisters.

John married his childhood sweetheart, Oma Lee Cole, on July 15, 1949. They have been married for almost 68 years. Together they raised four children: Doyle, David, John Jr., and Diane. John was very proud of his family and loved spending time playing and laughing with him.

John was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Bob, Ed, Paul, Howard and Hugh Eldridge, sisters, Elna Eldridge and Wilkie Cole, son, Doyle, and grandson, Barton.

He is survived by his wife, Oma, daughter-in-law, Sarah Eldridge, children: David Eldridge, John and Mickey Eldridge, Diane and Jim Cameron, grandsons: Braxton, Adam (Jessica), Ryan (Renee), John III (Natasha), Brad (Leslie), and Kyle Eldridge, granddaughters: Christa Widener, Jessica and Emily Cameron, 17 great-grandchildren, brothers; Bill and Mitch Eldridge, sisters: Lois White, Moe Randol, Glinda Clouse, and many loving nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to request memorial contributions be made to Harmony Baptist Church, P.O Box 1213, Crossville, TN 38557 or the Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA), 912 Killian Road S.W., Lilburn, GA 30047 (www.lbda.org/donate).

The family will receive friends Saturday, April 8, 2017 from 1 to 3 pm at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home with a service to follow. Burial will be in Green Acres Memory Gardens with Pastor David Wilkerson officiating. The Eldridge family would like to extend their gratitude to all the staff at Life Care Center for Crossville for their compassion and loving care.