A longtime Roane County deputy has passed away. Don Wampler passed away yesterday (April 17, 2020) at the age of 79. He served the Roane County Sheriff’s Department for numerous years before he retired. Deputy Wampler was proud to see his son Deputy Joe Wampler, once back from serving in the U.S. Navy, follow in his footsteps as a deputy for Roane County. The sheriff’s department asks everyone to keep his family in your hearts and prayers during this time. The Roane County Sheriff’s Department added not only did they lose a colleague, a friend, a mentor, but they lost a brother who will be deeply missed.

He retired from the Navy after 27 years of service and also retired from the Roane County Sherriff’s office after 17 years of service. Don enjoyed fishing any time he could. He is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and three sisters. He is survived by his wife: Virginia Inman Wampler; sons and daughters-in-law: Mark & Jessica Wampler and Joe & Diane Wampler; daughter and son-in-law: Kim & Fred Carroll; grandchildren: Blake, Ashley, Jalissa, and Bonita; great-grandchildren: Matthew and Brayden; and many nieces, nephews and friends. Friends may call Tuesday April 21, 2020 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Davis Funeral Home in Harriman to sign the register. Entombment services will be Tuesday April 21 at 3 p.m. in Roane Memorial Gardens in Rockwood. Davis Funeral Home in Harriman is serving the Wampler family.