Christopher Lane Vessell went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, March 19, 2023, at the age of 72 as a result of cancer. He was a resident of Flintville, Tennessee where he was raised and lived most of his adult life.
Chris was born to the late L.B. and Judith Vessell on March 12, 1951, at Lincoln County Hospital in Fayetteville, Tennessee. He is survived by his wife Debbie Vessell, sisters Pamela Weeks and Donna Dye, daughter Monette (John) Hancock, son Christopher (Shalina) Vessell II, and seven grandchildren John Brevin Hancock, Elijah Hancock, Athena Vessell, Skylar Vessell, Grayson Vessell, Claire Vessell, and Emma Vessell.
As a graduate of the University of Tennessee, he held a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering. By trade, Chris was an electrical power systems engineer and highly regarded among his colleagues for his thorough and precise skill at designing power systems.
Chris’s talent led him to Europe where, as a recent graduate, he inspected substation generators for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) prior to those generators being shipped to the U.S. for installation. After moving back home to Middle Tennessee, he worked for Duck River Electric, Pulaski Power, and Utility Service and Company. Upon shifting his career to Huntsville, Alabama, he worked at AJT & Associates where he designed electrical support systems for the NASA Space Program, and later joined the Huntsville Office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to support power systems projects throughout the United States.
Aside from his trade, he greatly enjoyed working on his family farm where, for many years, he raised commercial and registered beef cattle and occasionally grew row crops. During his brief retirement, he had a strong passion for logging and managing his timber acreage. However, his greatest joy was being around his grandchildren with whom he enjoyed engaging in conversation and many good laughs.
A memorial service will be held at Higgins Funeral Home in Fayetteville at 7 PM on Friday, March 24, 2023, with Troy Green officiating. Visitation with the family will be from 5 PM until the time of service on Friday at Higgins. His cremated remains will be scattered during a private family service later on the family farm.
Memorial donations may be made to Gentiva Hospice, 305 S Jackson Street, Suite B, Tullahoma, TN 37388
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Christopher Lane Vessell.
10 Comments To "Christopher Lane Vessell"
#1 Comment By Cheryl Albury On March 20, 2023 @ 3:20 pm
Debbie, I am so sorry for your and your families loss. I will be praying for God’s peace and comfort. Cheryl Albury
#2 Comment By Karen Gilliam On March 20, 2023 @ 4:20 pm
So very sorry to learn of your loss. May the memories you share comfort and sustain you now and in the days to come.
#3 Comment By Tonnie Drummond On March 20, 2023 @ 5:07 pm
Chris, I will never forget the impact you made on my life, the friendship we developed first based on respect for the difference in our culture. Then, in wonder of learning, growing and teaching each other in the field of Electrical Engineering combined with Cybersecurity and Networking. We became, friends then family..Remember, tell Edina I said Hello when you see her. I Miss and Love you, Brother.
#4 Comment By Mark Allen On March 20, 2023 @ 6:27 pm
One of my favorite memories of Chris is visiting the Hill Farm and all the places Chris had lived. His memories that he shared with me that day were full of color, simple beauty, and moving experiences of his childhood, mother and father, farming, and having a family of his own. He spoke proudly of Monette and Christopher, reciting their achievements and the quality of character. His spoke with prodigious pride of his grandchildren and shared many pictures. Yes, it was a full and enjoyable day.
#5 Comment By Lisa Helton On March 21, 2023 @ 1:23 pm
Debbie, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Chris. I wish to express my deepest condolences to you and your family.
#6 Comment By Angela Copeland-Humlicek On March 21, 2023 @ 2:22 pm
I remember how sweet Chris always was. We would have gatherings for promotions, retirements and holidays, he would always have a smile and laugh with all of us. Best part of it, he was always decked out in those famous overalls!!
So sorry for your loss!
Angela Copeland-Humlicek, Interior Designer
Army Corp. of Engineers
#7 Comment By Wanda Williams On March 21, 2023 @ 4:10 pm
Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family in the loss of husband, father and grandfather. It has been many years since our 4-H days together, but we remember those good times with families like you. May God strengthen you at this time and give you peace and comfort. Wanda and Bob Williams
#8 Comment By Megan Jones On March 22, 2023 @ 8:36 am
The Jones family, from the UK, Megan, Christopher and Hannah were very sorry to hear that Chris had passed. We hold such fond memories of our time spent together, in Swizerland and both our home countries. We loved the time with your family at the farm. Christopher remembers the tractor rides vividly. Our deepest condolences to all Chris’s family.
#9 Comment By Karen R. Moore On March 22, 2023 @ 1:20 pm
I had the honor of working renewable and power generation projects with Chris at the US Army Corps of Engineers. He was a very intelligent and smart man. I recall on one site visit he said Karen, why are we upgrading all the older generator controls; let’s just put in a natural gas turbine at the substation and call it a day? For a non-engineer, even I could understand why that would be practical. I worked with Chris on energy projects for almost 4 years. He always talked about his farm and country life.
#10 Comment By Barry Rhoads On July 7, 2023 @ 9:09 pm
I worked with Chris at Arnold AF Base and Marshall Space Flight Center. We had some fun times in our office trailer at Marshall. Cooking calf fries and getting people to try them as “chicken tenders”. Our nicknames, Chris was Hog Head” and I was “Mater Head”.