He retired as a master sergeant from the U.S. Air Force after 23 years, having served in Korea and Vietnam. He also worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Tampa, Fla., for 20 years.
He was a member of South Cleveland Church of God.
His hobbies included private piloting and sky diving.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Erva Ernest and Dortha Franklin Rathbone.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Mary Rathbone; four children: David Rathbone of Chattanooga, Steven Rathbone and wife, Dina LeRoy, of Pipestem, W.Va., Kerry Rathbone and wife, Gale, of Dade City, Fla., and Sherry Smith and husband, Jerald, of Titusville, Fla.; eight grandchildren: Chad, Travis, Brandon, Brittany and Lauren Rathbone, Jessica Conti and husband, Joshua, Candace Hatcher and husband, Christopher and Amanda Bartlett and husband, Chad; two stepgrandchildren: Davin DeLong and Nicki DeLong; and two great-grandsons: Christian Hatcher and Evan Conti.
The funeral will be held at 4 p.m. today, June 13, 2010, at South Cleveland Church of God with Pastor Chris Moody, Pastor Carl Hobbs and the Rev. Dr. Jerald Smith officiating.
Interment will be held at 11:30 p.m. Monday in the Chattanooga National Cemetery with full military honors.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. today prior to the service at the church.
We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Rathbone family guest book at www.ralphbuckner.com.
Ralph Buckner Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
