Tommy Ray Hemphill

View Funeral WebcastTommy Ray Hemphill, 58, retired Fire Chief for the City of Columbia and resident of Gray Lane in Mt. Pleasant, died Thursday, August 10, 2017 at NHC Maury Regional surrounded by his family and friends. Funeral services will be conducted Monday at 11:00 AM at West 7th Street Church of Christ with Randy Owens and CFD Fire Chief Ty Cobb officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Sunday from 3:00-8:00 P.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. The family suggest memorials be made to Children's Ministry at West Seventh Street Church of Christ, 405 West 7th Street, Columbia, TN 38401 or Columbia Academy, 1101 West 7th Street, Columbia, TN 38401. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com.The Maury County native was the son of Bobby Joe Hemphill and the late Carolyn Johnson Hemphill. He was a 1977 graduate of Columbia Central High School. Tommy had many passions in life; his family, his career, but especially his God. He loved encouraging young people to love and serve God. He and his wife Jacque served as volunteer youth directors in the mid 1980's at Eastside Church of Christ, where he was also a deacon. He served on the Board of Directors of Columbia Academy from 2001-2007. He participated in Maury Christian Camp as a bible teacher and counselor, for 15 years as well as serving on the Camp Board of Directors. He participated in Lads to Leaders since 2001, by directing boy's song leading, and encouraging them to lead songs in their public worship services. Tommy was a chaperone and attended convention every year. He has also been on several mission trips locally and in Central America. Mr. Hemphill was currently an elder at West Seventh Street Church of Christ, as well as bible teacher and song leader. Mr. Hemphill served the City of Columbia Fire Department for 30 years, it was always his childhood dream and lifelong passion to serve his community in this capacity. In 2015, when he became Fire Chief, his motto was "work hard, have fun, and take care of each other.' This was his life every day. He served on the Maury County E911 Board. Additionally, he was a member of the Kiwanis Club, where he was awarded the Walter Zeller Fellowship Award and served on their Board of Directors. A family man, Mr. Hemphill loved his girls with all of his heart. His daughter, Lindsey, granddaughters, Lily Grace and most recently his name sake Sadie Rae, who remains in the NICU at Maury Regional Medical Center after being born 9 weeks premature. Even with his declining health he was determined to hold her one time to introduce her to her "Pops." Although his girls held a special place in his heart he was especially proud of his son-in-law, Josh, who he considered a son. Survivors include his wife, the love of his life, whom he married May 2, 1981, Jacqueline Bates Hemphill of Mt. Pleasant; daughter, Lindsey (Josh) Howell of Mt. Pleasant; granddaughters, Lily Grace Howell and Sadie Rae Howell both of Mt. Pleasant; father, Bobby Joe (Sissy) Hemphill of Columbia; sisters, Beverly (Dale) Norman of Columbia; Judy (Chris) Fite of Mt. Juliet; nieces and nephews, Jerry Dale Norman of Columbia; Joey Norman of Columbia; Brenda Kaye (Brandon) Boles of Columbia; Brent Fite of Mt. Juliet; Christi Fite of Mt. Juliet; and great nieces and nephew; Will Boles; Briley Boles; and Chelsey Norman. Active pallbearers will be Columbia Fire Department Honor Guard. Honorary pallbearers include Elders of West Seventh Street Church of Christ, and retired and present firefighters of Columbia Fire Department and Maury County Fire Department. The family would like to express a special thanks to Dr. John Simmons, Dr. Shannon Serie, Wendy Davis, Mari Boulton, Tracey Roberts, and Hospice Compassus.