Thomas Earl Wilkerson Sr., age 87 of Chattanooga, TN went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on June 5, 2025, at his residence of 55 years. He was born August 8, 1937 in Greensburg, KY. He proudly served in the US Air Force from 1955 to 1959; playing basketball and serving on Dobbins Air Force Base, Korea and Lookout Mountain, GA where he met the love of his life and married soon after his discharge. Tom was employed by Mueller Company in Chattanooga and retired as a supervisor after 35 years. He was a member of Edgewood Baptist Church for 69 years where he faithfully served for 59 of those years as a church deacon and Sunday School teacher. In his earlier years at the church, he played and coached the men's basketball and softball teams. He also coached the women's softball team for several years. Tom was an avid Kentucky Wildcats Basketball and Atlanta Braves fan. He would sit for hours watching old western television shows.

He will be loved and remembered for his desire to strengthen his relationship with God by spending time daily in his favorite book, God's Holy Word. He loved spending time with his family and a was Godly example to each of them and to all who knew him.

Survived by Carolyn O'Dell Wilkerson, his beloved wife of 65 years; daughter, Cindy (Steve) Freer; son, Tommy (Deedra) Wilkerson; Grandchildren: Brooke (Mike) Kirby, Shannon Case, Katelyn (Jarod) Ownbey, Sydney Wilkerson, Matthew Freer; Great grandchildren: Parker Case, Rhett Ownbey and Nora Ownbey.

Preceded in death by his sister Norma Jean (John) Barnett.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Edgewood Baptist Church, 3604 Ringgold Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37412 or Good Samaritan Baptist Mission Feed the Hungry Kitchen, PO Box 430, Villa Rica, GA 30180.

Visitation will be held at Hamilton Funeral Home Tuesday, June 10, 2025 from 4-7 and continue Wednesday, June 11th from 11-12. Funeral Service will be Wednesday, June 11th at 12pm in the chapel with burial to follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery at 1:30pm.

Arrangements entrusted to Hamilton Funeral Home and Cremation Service 4506 Hixson Pike Hixson, TN 37343. 423.531.3975.