Kyle Wayne Letterman, 66, passed away on Saturday, April 22, 2017, at the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center Hospital, Mountain Home, Tenn., following a courageous battle with lung cancer, caused by his exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. He was a native of Carter County and the son of the late Frank B. Letterman Sr. and Hattie Bryant Letterman. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Frank Letterman Jr. and Larry Letterman.
Kyle served in the United States Army and was a decorated Vietnam Veteran, having been awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm. He served in Vietnam in 1971-1972. He was an infantryman with the 9th Infantry, 101st Airborne and 1st Calvary.
Kyle retired as a mechanic for the Elizabethton Electric System. He graduated from Happy Valley High School, Class of 1969. He was of the Baptist faith and attended Southwestern Baptist Church. He was also a member of Happy Valley Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Mona Blevins Letterman, of the home; his daughter, Kristy Houghton and husband Richie of Elizabethton; his grandchildren, Justin and Katie Houghton of Elizabethton; a brother, Jerry Letterman and his beloved dog, Smokey, of Salem, Va.; his mother-in-law, Jewell Blevins, of the home; a sister-in-law, Nancy Letterman of Johnson City; a brother-in-law, Chris Blevins of Elizabethton; and many special nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
He left this world a better place by the love and kindness he showed others.
A service to honor the life of Kyle Wayne Letterman will be conducted at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 25, in the chapel of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, with Pastor Greg Salyer and Pastor David Holtsclaw officiating. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, prior to the service. The graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 26, at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Military Honors will be accorded by the Carter County Honor Guard. Active pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. Honorary pallbearers will be his former co-workers at Elizabethton Electric System. Those wishing to attend the service are asked to meet at Tetrick Funeral Home of Elizabethton at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday to go in procession. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Mountain Home VA Medical Center and the staff of Amedysis Hospice for the love and care shown to Kyle. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers, may make donations to the American Cancer Society, 861 Weisgarber Road, Knoxville, TN 37909. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tetrickfuneralhome.com and signing the guestbook or by fax to 423-542-9499.
Tetrick Funeral Home is serving the Letterman family. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.