Victor Dale Counts

Victor Counts, 70, passed away Monday, Dec. 8, 2025 in Chattanooga. A Hixson resident, he retired earlier in the year from TVA after nearly 45 years as an electrician and later, an electrical maintenance instructor for the utility's nuclear division. During that time, he worked at several sites including the Bellefonte, Watts Bar, and Sequoyah Nuclear Power plants. He was named as a top maintenance professional multiple times throughout his tenure and received awards on several occasions for catching issues before they could become serious problems.

Victor moved frequently throughout childhood as his father pursued an electrical engineering career, and he had dozens of addresses to his name by the time he turned 18. Blessed with curiosity and mechanical aptitude, from an early age Vic became known for taking apart small electronics for fun. He always wanted to understand how a thing worked, fix what was fixable - and if possible, help others understand how to fix things. As an adult, he built a career doing just that. And once his son became an electrician, they thoroughly enjoyed talking shop.

In healthier and happier times, Vic enjoyed boating, music, movies, reading, and spending time with loved ones. He used his considerable sewing, drawing, and crafting skills to help his kids with elementary school projects to legendary effect. Like his wife Elaine, he loved his children dearly and took great pleasure in sharing the things he enjoyed with the people he loved. The Counts family spent many hours rocking out to records, watching cinematic & TV classics in the den, and talking about things they'd read and learned.

Vic loved learning for its own sake, and constantly sought out knowledge and perspectives on science, history, culture and politics among other things. He encouraged this habit in his children as well, and truly enjoyed it when they shared their favorite books/movies/music with him. He was a man of few words but the wit, humor and generosity he shared between his measured silences were cherished by his friends and family.

Victor was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Shirley Gail (Hollaway) Counts, as well as his brother Jim and his wife Elaine. He is survived by his sister Teresa Counts, as well as his daughter Alison (Sean) Sexter, son Joseph (Ashley) Counts, granddaughter Olivia, grandson Owen, niece Koko, nephews James and Austin, and many wonderful cousins from his Hollaway and Counts family.

In Vic's memory, his family encourages you to donate to your favorite charity supporting those in need and/or your local animal shelter, foster or adopt a cat or dog if you can, turn up your favorite music, kick back with your chosen people, go look at the stars, tip your servers well every chance you get, and read a good book then share it with someone else who might enjoy it.

Funeral services will be held, 12:00 P.M. Sunday, December 14, 2025, in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery in Dutton, Alabama. The family will receive friends 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home.

Visit the online obituary www.heritagechattanooga.com to post tributes and share memories.

Arrangements by Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Chapel.