Henry "Butch" Sledge

Henry Eugene “Butch” Sledge, aged 73, passed away peacefully at his home on September 2, 2024. He was born on February 26, 1951 in Athens, Tennessee. He grew up in Chattanooga, until he moved to Loudon while in high school. He was a proud resident of Loudon and was a 1969 graduate of Loudon High School where he met the love of his life, and wife of 40 years, Shirley Diann Miller.

 He served as a Security Policeman in the US Air Force from 1971-1975, and served in the Tennessee Air National Guard for over a decade. Butch worked at Maremont, in maintenance, for 29 years, and was a rural mail carrier for the United States Postal Service, for 22 years, until he retired in 2013. Butch loved to work. Sometimes it seemed like it was his hobby. At one time in his life, he was employed, full-time at Maremont; part-time at the United States Postal Service; a member of the Tennessee Air National Guard; and raised tobacco, all at the same time. Butch did love to work, but mostly he did it because he felt a responsibility to provide for his family that he loved more than anything on this earth.

 Butch is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Shirley, his father, John Henry Sledge, brothers David and Keith Sledge. He is survived by his step-mother Mary Sue Banks; brother, Freddy Sledge; daughter, Melanie Sledge and his son, Hank Sledge (Michelle) both of Loudon, grandchildren Gideon Sledge (Kelsey) and Holden Sledge of Cookeville, TN, Eli Sledge, Lenoir City, TN; Summer Lane, Loudon, TN and close friend, Dewayne “Gomer” Feezell. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Wounded Warrior Project https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org. 

The family will receive friends 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm on Thursday, September 5, 2024 at Loudon Funeral Home. The funeral service will begin at 5:00 pm with Rev. Bill White officiating. Interment will follow the service in the Corinth Cemetery.