Warren Fulton Abercrombie

Warren Fulton Abercrombie

FARRAGUT, Tenn. -Warren Fulton Abercrombie, age 97, passed away Sunday, March 8, 2009. He was a faithful member of West Hills Presbyterian Church.

Born June 8, 1911, Leeds, Ala., he actively participated in youth activities at Leeds Presbyterian Church and earned the Boy Scouts of America highest award, Eagle Scout, from Troop 101 in 1926.

Dr. Abercrombie graduated from Howard College (now Samford University) in Birmingham, Ala., with a B.A. degree in Biology in 1931, then continued his studies at New York University, earning a M.S. in Biology in 1933 and his Ph.D. in Biology in 1935. He returned to Howard College as Assistant Professor of Biology. In 1941, he became Head of the Biology Department at Erskine College, Due West, S.C., where he met his wife Clara Krider Knox. They were married April 23, 1943.

During World War II, Dr. Abercrombie took a civilian position at Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Ala., and subsequently was drafted into the U.S. Army in April 1942, commissioned through Officer Candidate School, serving in the Chemical Corps at Edgewood Arsenal, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. After the war, he served in the U.S. Army Reserves, retiring as Lieutenant Colonel in 1968.

In addition to his military experience, Dr. Abercrombie's 43-year career as a civil servant included work at Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Ala., Army Chemical Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Ga., Civil Defense, Battle Creek, Mich., and Emergency Preparedness, U.S. Public Health Service, Washington, D.C.

In service to our Lord, he served as an elder in Chesterbrook, McLean and Cedar Springs Presbyterian churches and was active in the Gideons throughout his life.

Dr. Abercrombie was predeceased by his parents, Andrew Jackson Abercrombie, Sr. and Vennie Ream Fulton Abercrombie.

He is survived by Clara, his wife of nearly 66 years; daughter and son-in-law Clara Reid and Michael Pratt; daughter Ann Miller; son Edwin Abercrombie; and son and daughter-in-law Robert and Amy Abercrombie; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Visitation and Service: The family will receive friends Thursday, 12:30-2 p.m. at West Hill Presbyterian Church with service following at 2 p.m. Interment at a later date at Back Creek Presbyterian Church, Mount Ulla, North Carolina.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, please contribute to West Hills Presbyterian Church, Mission's Fund, 7600 Bennington Drive, Knoxville, TN 37909.

Click Funeral Home Farragut Chapel, 11915 Kingston Pike, Farragut, Tenn., is serving the Abercrombie family. Online condolences may be made at www.clickfuneralhome.com