Retired Colonel, USMC, Arch E. Trimble

Arch E. Trimble, Jr. was born on May 6, 1928, to Arch Trimble Sr. and Elizabeth Reed Trimble. He graduated from Chattanooga City High School and was accepted into Vanderbilt. After two years there, he decided to enroll at Georgia Tech, graduating with a degree in Industrial Management and starting his career helping Arch Sr. with an oil franchise. Later, he swore the oath to protect his country, becoming a Marine Corps Officer and commanding a motor pool unit during the Korean War. He would later reach the rank of Colonel in the Marine Corps Reserves.

During college he met his future wife Lou Gass at Central Church of Christ and took a semester off to court her. His persistence paid off and in 1951 he graduated from college and married Lou, and together they had an incredible life raising five children in their home in North Chattanooga.

After the war, Arch Jr. and Arch Sr. became the only licensed distributors of Motorola in the city and brought the first television to Chattanooga.

Arch Jr. was a servant of God and served as both an Elder at Central Church of Christ and a Sunday School teacher for over forty years. Arch's devotion and generosity to his congregation and the UTC Christian Student Center, as well as a Church of Christ in a small village in India was truly remarkable. He was also devoted to sharing God's love to house-bound congregants and others by delivering poinsettias and sending hundreds of cards each year to lift spirits and celebrate milestones. In addition, he was instrumental in founding the Martin Boyd Christian Home - offering a place for Church members to spend their later years and assisting thousands of people in need. And no one can forget his generosity in hosting picnics at the "lake lot" every Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day.

Together, he and Arch Sr. founded Arch E. Trimble Insurance that would become synonymous with the family name. For decades they provided trusted advice, as was demonstrated when he was named Insurer of the Year on the local and state level. He was president of Civitan Club in 1965.

While his professional accomplishments could fill the entire Times Free Press, his success was entirely rooted in his family. His five children, eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren were his greatest joy, and he took great pride in their respective work. He spent his time teaching them how to hunt, take pictures, and give unrequited history lessons that could occur at any moment.

After the passing of his first wife, he married Jo Shipley and they lived happily together for the rest of Arch's life. The family is eternally grateful for her love and care that prolonged his life.

The family would like to thank the Trimble daughters-in-law (whom he fondly referred to as daughters-in-love) - Vanessa, Joann, Cynthia, & Cheryl - for their unwavering devotion, loyalty, and commitment.

Arch Jr. was preceded in death by his parents, former Hamilton County Property Assessor Arch Sr. and Elizabeth Reed Trimble; his loving, devoted wife Lou Gass Trimble; sons Lt. Arch Trimble, III, Dr. Steven Trimble, Thomas Trimble, and grandson Tommy Trimble.

He is survived by his wife Jo Trimble; daughter Beth Geary (Tim); son Frank (Cheryl); and grandchildren: Bard, Arch IV (Kathryn), Reed (Shelby), Jeff (Sharon), Jay (Julia), Chase, and Sarah Beth (Kerry). He also leaves his great grandchildren: Arch V and Baker; Marlowe and Violet; and Sophia and Izzy; stepdaughters Helen Layne (John) & Beth Zarzour (Eddie); and special cousin Charles Broadrick.

We would also like to thank caregivers Ashley, Tymber, & Heather and nurses Joy & Rodney.

Colonel Arch Trimble Jr. lived by the ethos of 1 Corinthians 13:13, which states, "And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love." He passed down his belief that God's Blessing is for everyone, and how we embrace and act on that blessing matters exponentially more.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions may be made to Central Church of Christ, 400 Vine Street, Chattanooga, TN 37403 or Martin Boyd Christian Home, 6845 Standifer Gap Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421Chattanooga, TN 37421.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 AM Friday, April 10, 2026, at the Central Church of Christ, 400 Vine Street, Chattanooga, TN 37403.  Interment will follow in the Chattanooga Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends from 3 ~7 PM Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Hamilton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 4506 Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN 37343, (423) 531-3975.