Dr. Joseph Richard Thomasson Jr.

THOMASSON, Dr. Joseph Richard, Jr., of Tullahoma, passed this life on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2015, at Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga at the age of 63. Dr. Thomasson was born in Chattanooga to the late Joseph Richard and Jean Wallace Thomasson Sr. He obtained his B.S. degree at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, and went on to attend medical school at the University of Tennessee Memphis. He served his family practice residency in Huntsville, Alabama, and began his practice in Tullahoma on Oct. 15, 1984. Dr. Thomasson was a beloved family physician in Tullahoma to many people over his 31 years of practice. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Tullahoma and was active in Boy Scouts his whole life, achieving its highest honor of Eagle Scout. He continued in scouting life with his sons and completed two treks, one to Philmont Scout Ranch and one at Sea Base in Florida as an adult leader. Dr. Thomasson, or Rich as he was known to many, loved sailing, snow skiing, hiking and biking, and rode several years in the Tour de Cure for diabetes. He was also a proud supporter of the Tennessee Titans even through the worst seasons. Rich had many culinary passions, ranging from the hottest of hot sauces to the pursuit of the perfect wine pairing. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one daughter-in-law, Kelly Overcast. Dr. Thomasson is survived by his wife, Marie Thomasson, of Tullahoma; four sons, David Overcast and his wife Brandie, of Winchester, Dan Overcast and his wife Jennie, of Tullahoma, Joseph Thomasson and his wife Kimberley, of Tullahoma and Mark Thomasson and his wife Cori, of Estill Springs; two brothers, David Thomasson and his wife Sandi, of Kingsport and Tim Thomasson and his wife Beverly, of Fredericksburg, Virginia; two sisters, Edie Oliver and her husband Cortney, of Marietta, Georgia, and Millie Twiggs and her husband David, of Lenoir City; and four grandchildren, Nicholas Overcast, Sophia, Richard IV, and Olivia Thomasson. Visitation for Dr. Thomasson will be held from 1 till 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, at Kilgore Funeral Home. A private interment will take place at a later date. For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Adopt A Golden Birmingham, P.O. Box 361753, Birmingham, AL 35236 or at www.adoptagoldenbirmingham.com or to Partners For Healing, 109 West Blackwell St., Tullahoma, TN 37388. Kilgore Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.