Dr. J.E. Choate

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Murray State University Vanderbilt University

J.E. Choate Obituary

Dr. J.E. Choate, passed from this life after a brief illness on March 2, 2013 in Jackson, TN, three days after his 97th birthday. He was married for 69 years to Marie Jones, who preceded him in death in 2003. He once observed that Marie was the "inspiration in my life and I owe everything to her." March 2nd was their wedding anniversary.

J.E. Choate was born on February 27, 1916 in Graves County, Kentucky, where he spent his youth, married, and preached his first sermon at the Wingo Church of Christ at age 22. His primary interests would become family, preaching and teaching.

He was deeply dedicated to preaching and served in the pulpit at the Oak Grove Church of Christ in Kentucky; the Churches of Christ in Dresden and Donelson, TN; as well as Reed Avenue, Eighth Avenue and Eastview Churches in Nashville. He retired from the ministry at the age of 73.

He was a professor of philosophy and religion at David Lipscomb University (1946-86). In October of 2010, Lipscomb University dedicated the front of the James D. Hughes Center as the J.E. Choate Portico in his honor. Dr. Choate was a life long lover of learning. He attended Freed-Hardeman College (1938-40), Murray State College (1940-42), George Peabody Teachers College (1946-47) and received his PhD from Vanderbilt University (1950-54), as well as a BA of Divinity (1954-58). An American western history and Restoration Movement scholar, he authored or co-authored many books. His first publication was The American Cowboy: The Myth and the Reality, reviewed in such publications as Time Magazine and New York Times Book Review.

Dr. Choate's deep dedication to the Church led him to focus on its history. These publications included: Roll Jordan Roll: A Biography of Marshall Keeble and The Anchor That Holds: A Biography of Benton Cordell Goodpasture. Since moving to Jackson, TN in 2010, he made several presentations, including church history videos for Freed Hardeman University and a lecture on Marshall Keeble at East Jackson Church of Christ. He also conducted classes at Elmcroft Assisted Living Center.

He is survived by his son, Jerry J. Choate and his wife Joyce of Jackson, TN; his daughter, Teresa Choate and her husband Cliff Jewell of Plainfield, NJ; his granddaughter, Alison Odle and her husband Bill, and their children, Timothy and Emily of Trenton, TN; granddaughter, Angela Youngberg and her husband Kevin, and their children, Eric and Colin of Jackson, TN; his sister-in-law, Jo Smelser and her daughter Mignon of Nashville, TN.

Funeral services will be held at Wingo Church of Christ on Tuesday, March 5, 2013. The body will lie in state from 12 noon til 1 p.m. Service at 1 p.m., followed by burial at Oak Grove Cemetery. Bobby Crittendon will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to the J.E. Choate Scholarship, Office of Development, One University Park Drive, David Lipscomb University, Nashville, TN 37204.

Visitation will be held today from 5-7 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home, Wingo, KY, (270) 376-2231

Published by The Jackson Sun on Mar. 4, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for J.E. Choate

4 Entries

John Crowder

October 9, 2013

As a green freshman in 1958, I had Dr. Choate for my first quarter of English. He was very precise and even a bit demanding in the standards he set for his students, but he had a good-humored, self-effacing manner that more than offset his more "fearsome" qualities. Many do not know that his book, "The American Cowboy--The Myth and the Reality" received high accolades from national reviewers, including a review in Time Magazine.

There was nothing artificial or pretentious about Dr. Choate. What you heard and saw from him was what he was and what he was was a kind Christian gentleman and a dedicated teacher who truly cared for his students.

Richard Davis McLeod, Riverside, California

Richard Davis McLeod

April 12, 2013

I was very sadden to learn recently of the death of Dr. Julian Ernest Choate. I was an undergraduate student at David Lipscomb College from 1967 until 1971 and took several courses under Dr. Choate during that time period. He was always very thorough, and knowledgeable in any of the various classes I took in which he taught whether a Philosophy, Bible Class or his leading one of the Chapel Services. He had a most distinct and unusual presence in the classroom, and one that will not be forgotten. The photograph here is quite distinguished looking without the black glasses, but I can still see the large, jet black, "Cary Grant" glasses he once was noted for wearing, I know in the late 1960's and early 1970's.

I remember Dr. Choate as well as just about any Professor I have had in my life. He was very distinguished and was not an individual one would easily forget.

Dr. Choate made an impact on his students. He was a most unusual man, and combined his deep Spirituality and love of the Church, with all that he did in the many activities from classes he taught while at Lipscomb to the many churches of Christ where he preached since the age of 22, and I am sure the classes he taught at the Assisted Living Center where he was last living along with the recent Restoration History he had been working on with Freed Hardeman College.

Dr. Choate was very punctual in his teaching responsibilities and always took his job very seriously. He was always prepared, and expected each student to be also prepared in the studies for the day. He was very fair with all his students, and favoritism was never something one of Dr. Choate's students had to deal with in his classes. He made certain all the students knew what was expected of them in a given class, and followed through with those expectations. Grades were not just given out, they were earned.

I still remember many facts from the classes I took with Dr. Choate, and such remembrances indicate a great deal for a Professor from whom I took classes from over 40 years ago.

Dr. Choate believed in the Holy Scriptures and the Church. He showed his Christian virtues in all aspects of his very productive life. I know the churches of Christ where he preached over the years will remember his teachings for generations to come, as I know to be the case with the students he taught at Lipscomb.

Dr. Choate's books on the Restoration Movement including the Brother Marshall Keeble Biography, are still popular and read by many people in the Church today. I see that particular book having a real position in the books from the Restoration Movement as future years pass by. I assume The American Cowboy: Myth and Legend is still being published today, as it was originally released in 1955 and received very good reviews from even The New York Times Book Review at the time. It had publishers both in the United States and England at the time.

Dr. Choate loved the Church and his Heavenly reward is secure. He saw it as the Family of God. I feel very honored in having had the privilege of being one of his students in both Philosophy and Bible classes at Lipscomb.

Dr. Choate loved the Holy Scriptures first, and in many ways all the other classes were taught within that context, but always in light of the Holy Scriptures and for that I am thankful, as such a teaching method is indeed rare in this secular World today.

Eternal Rest Grant Unto Dr. Choate, and May Perpetual Light Shine Upon HIm. Rest in Peace, Beloved One.

Hollis and Muril Todd

March 8, 2013

Dr. J.E. Choate was a special Christian Gentleman who shared his insights, witticisms, and wisdom with those who could call him a personal friend and colleague.
In mid-March I e-mailed him a Happy Birthday message and in short order he responded that he remembered me and my colleague Dr. Long, my fellow sociologist, and the others on the Hall--Burton's 3rd floor that housed a number of our offices--with fondness.
To Teresa, Jerry, and other family members I extend our deepest sympathy/empathy for your loss.
May the Lord bless you
Hollis and Muril Todd
[email protected]

Robert Butler

March 4, 2013

I am a former student of Dr.Choate's at Lipscomb. He was brilliant with a self-effacing sense of humor. A true absent-minded professor in the best sense. You could hear a pin drop in his classes. He left a lasting impression on me. May he rest in peace.

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