John Attwell Obituary

Name: Visitation for John Attwell
Start: 2025-03-22T11:00:00.000Z
Location: Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home

John was born November 9, 1942, to Ronald and Edith Attwell. He is survived by his wife Mary, his son Gwilym (Colleen) of Kennett Square, PA, and daughter Gwenan Skoba (Mike) of O'Fallon, MO. His grandchildren, Brandon, Kylie, Lauren, and Hugh were his pride and joy. John grew up in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, England with his late sister Margaret (Peter Starr), and brother Peter (Tress). He graduated from the University of Exeter where he met his wife Mary before starting his graduate apprenticeship with Rolls Royce Aero Engine Division in Derby. He moved with his family to Charleston, WV, in late 1978, when he joined Union Carbide Chemicals and Plastics, then transferred to Parma, OH and later to Clarksville, TN. John enjoyed the travel required for his work which included multiple trips to France, Switzerland, Italy, Spain (not forgetting watching the running of the bulls), South Africa, Venezuela, and Brazil. During these trips, John took the opportunity to build an impressive collection of wine! Upon retiring, John had time to plan and enjoy visits to many countries. He was interested in ancient history of countries like Iran, Sudan, and Ethiopia, animal life on safaris in several countries in Africa, and different cultures in the Far East. He was happy that the three week train journey on the Trans Siberian railway occurred just before Covid 19 and the troubles in Ukraine. Those long days and nights on that trip glued many happy friendships when rolling across the vast continent. The last trip was to Taiwan and South Korea where he even enjoyed the cuisine! No, he was not known for attempting new foods! His home with the yard and the koi pond occupied much of his time, but the Clarksville YMCA also became an important part of his life. John joined the YMCA in 2007 for exercise, but he also enjoyed his post-workout conversations with his Y friends. Those friendships still form a truly valued community to the family. A celebration of life will be on Saturday, March 22, at 11am at Neal Tarpley Parchman Funeral Home, Madison Street, followed by a reception at the YMCA, Hilldale Drive. Fly high, John. We shall raise a glass of wine to you. You were one of a kind and will be deeply missed. To send flowers to the family of John, please visit our floral store.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Clarksville Now on Feb. 18, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for John Attwell

5 Entries

Audrey Duncan

Sent Flowers

Bob Baxter

February 19, 2025

I worked with John in Charleston. High spirited, intelligent and great sense of humor. RIP old friend

Doug and Judi Rogers

February 19, 2025

Being new to the neighborhood John and Mary welcomed us and became dear friends. John will be missed for his wit, conversation and knowledge. Our neighborhood has lost one of the best leaving a hole in our daily lives. Much love John, rest in peace dear friend.

Ed Charles

February 18, 2025

As we age we lose the BEST of the BEST which exemplifies John ..
He was all about you Mary and your twins who both baby sat for our children ..
Mary you are truly a Lady of Virtue and was the wind beyond John’s back as our beloved neighbor and FRIEND ..
MAY THE MEMORY OF JOHN ATTWELL always be a BLESSING TO EVERYONE he touched ..
Ed

Nestor Iglesias

February 18, 2025

I've had the privilege of knowing John Attwell for almost 30 years now. We both worked for Union Carbide at the Clarksville, Tennessee plant. I actually got to know John much better at the YMCA. John has always been a very independent and determined individual. At the YMCA, he came fixated to get his workout done. He wasn't too much for idle chatter. However, if you got him interested in certain topics, he would engage with you in detailed conversation. But it, too, had its limits. If you succeeded in detaining him for 15 minutes, you did an outstanding job. When he tired, he would look at his watch and politely excuse himself. Remember, he had come to the YMCA to do his workout, not to sit in idle chatter. We never succeeded in incorporating John into our "COFFEE FRIDAY " group named by us as "THE NEW FACE OF THE YMCA." We tried and tried, but never succeeded. We all knew this would never happen, but we still appreciated John's friendship and wit. We will never forget his most favorite phrase, "DON'T OVERDO IT." He was obviously telling us to get on with it. You've not come to the YMCA to chatter. You've come to exercise.
Those of us who knew John well, will always remember him as an independent, dedicated, committed, and perfectionist in all of his undertakings. Forever rest in peace, John William Attwell .

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