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Former Sheriff of Carter County, Dexter Gene Lunceford, 67, of Elizabethton, Tenn., passed away on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, surrounded by his beloved family. Dexter was born in Carter County and grew up in the Fish Springs Community before moving to Elizabethton. He was a son of the late Bobby Gene Lunceford and Shelby Jean (Dugger) Lunceford. In addition to his parents, Dexter was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Landon Grindstaff.

Dexter began his distinguished career in law enforcement at the Carter County Sheriff’s Department before obtaining a job with the Johnson City Police Department. After serving at JCPD, he took a job with the Tennessee Highway Patrol where he spent most of his career. 

Dexter was always looking for new opportunities in his career and ran a successful campaign for Sheriff of Carter County in 2014 and served in that role until his retirement in 2022. Dexter was also a proud United States Marine and a member of Caldwell Springs Baptist Church where he currently served as a Deacon and a member of the Board of Directors. In his leisure time, he enjoyed basketball, golfing, woodworking and guitar.  

Dexter was beloved by the citizens of Carter County and will always be remembered for his tough, yet caring enforcement of the law. His passing leaves a void in our family and community.

Those left to continue Dexter’s legacy include his loving wife of 38 years, Pamela (Grindstaff) Lunceford of the home; his beloved daughters, Tessa (Gene) Lunceford Scott of Watauga and Jessica (Dylan) Appleton of Johnson City; his stepgrandchild, Henry Scott of Watauga; two brothers, Richard (Darlene) Lunceford of Elizabethton and Danny Lunceford of Hampton; two sisters, Janice (Charles) Cable of Elizabethton and Lavonna Skeans (Gunther Doerr), also of Elizabethton; and his mother-in-law, Joyce Grindstaff of Elizabethton. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

A celebration of Dexter’s life will be conducted at 4 p.m. Sunday, December 8, in the Chapel of Peace at Tetrick Funeral Home of Elizabethton with Pastor Doug Hinshaw officiating and Pastor Brian Cable and Mr. Andy Wilson speaking. The family will receive friends in the Chapel of Peace between the hours of 1 and 4 p.m. Sunday, prior to the service.

The graveside service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Monday, December 9, in the Mountain Home National Cemetery Historic Section (53 Memorial Boulevard), Mountain Home, Tennessee. Active pallbearers will be Richard Lunceford, Danny Lunceford, Dan Bowman, Tommy Boone, Mark Musick, Eric Grindstaff, Danny Nave and Charles Cable. Honorary pallbearers will be the Deacons at Caldwell Springs Baptist Church, the Men’s Sunday School Class and the Thursday Lunch Crew. Those wishing to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, by 12:15 p.m. Monday to go in procession to the cemetery. Donations in honor and memory of Dexter can be made to the Caldwell Springs Baptist Church Awana Program, 1509 Blue Springs Road, Elizabethton, TN 37643. Words of comfort and sympathy may be shared with the family by visiting our website at www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.

Tetrick Funeral Home of Elizabethton is honored to serve the Lunceford family. Office Phone: (423) 542-2232.