News
October 14, 2026 by Tammy Cheek
Defined by a lifetime of service and love for his community, Eddy Ford became a leading voice for change in the Town of Farragut. As a hardworking student, astute government official and a beloved husband, his impact left a lasting legacy for future generations.
Early Life, Education, and Military Service
Walter “Eddy” Edward Ford passed away at the age of 87 at his home in Farragut on Tuesday, Oct. 6. A lifelong resident of the community, Ford attended Farragut High School alongside his childhood sweetheart, Linda, whom he married in 1960. He served as valedictorian for the class of 1957, played varsity football and basketball and was widely popular.
Prior to his extensive career in local government, Ford served two years of active duty as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, worked as a construction engineer for the Atomic Energy Commission and spent many years refereeing local high school football games. He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nuclear engineering from the University of Tennessee and dedicated 33 years to the computational physics and engineering division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory before retiring. Outside of his professional and civic commitments, Ford and his wife were active members of Concord United Methodist Church.
Entry into Local Governance
Ford began his formal involvement in municipal leadership in 1980 when he ran for South Ward alderman. In his campaign materials, Ford highlighted his deep concern for Farragut's future as a lifetime resident, emphasized the Town's formative period and presented a vital opportunity for citizens to participate directly in local democratic government.
Following his election, Ford sat alongside Town co-founders on the inaugural Board of Mayor and Aldermen. Though he was not involved in the initial incorporation of the town, he adapted quickly to municipal governance. Drawing on the influence of his mother, a schoolteacher, Ford possessed a strong command of the English language and routinely reviewed proposed ordinances to correct grammatical errors and structural flaws. He later served as vice mayor under Farragut's first mayor, Bob Leonard.
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October 14, 2026 by
Eddy Ford was a pioneer and instrumental
municipal leader, guiding the Town of Farragut through vital developmental phases during his tenure as vice mayor (beginning in 1991) and subsequently as mayor.
He is remembered by colleagues as a visionary champion for public parks, historical preservation and administrative efficiency.
Chronological Timeline of Key Milestones
July 1991 Vice Mayor Tenure Begins: Served as vice mayor alongside Mayor Bob Leonard during the completion phases of the new Farragut Town Hall.
1991 – 1992 Farragut Collection & Archival Partnership: Worked endlessly alongside his wife, Linda, and the Museum Committee to acquire and install the prestigious Farragut Collection. Partnered with the University of Tennessee library system to house historical Farragut papers for public research access.
2007 – 2008 30th Anniversary Challenge: Challenged citizen advisory committees under the Leisure Services/Parks & Recreation Department to conceive major projects commemorating Farragut's 30th anniversary in 2010.
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October 14, 2026 by Tammy Cheek
Upon hearing of former Farragut Mayor Eddy Ford’s passing on Oct. 6, Town leaders and other officials expressed their sadness, memories and reflections of the second Town mayor.
“I got to do a lot of important things with him with the Tennessee Municipal League and National League of Cities,” said Dot LaMarche, former Vice Mayor and South Ward alderman. “When we would go to these meetings, people were very, very fond of him.
“There were a lot of small cities with people who couldn’t believe how our Town was founded that we didn’t have a [property] tax, and, they loved Eddy,” she said.
“Even when he was out of office, I would go back [to the meetings], and they would ask me how he was,” LaMarche said. “I know he loved Farragut … and he and Linda were responsible for going up North and bringing back the [Admiral Farragut] stuff for the museum. I was really happy that they were able to do that.”
“Eddy was one of the finest men I ever knew. He did so much for the Town of Farragut,” former Farragut Alderman Bob Markli said. “He’s the one who got me involved in Town politics. He called me to the Development Process Review Board in 1995 or '96. That was my first foray into Town politics.”
“He was Mr. Farragut in my book,” Markli said. “He helped put the Town on the map, he and [first Mayor] Bob Leonard.”
“Eddy and I sat next to each other on the first Board of Mayor and Aldermen,” said Eric Johnson, Town co-founder and inaugural alderman. “We were aldermen for the first term, serving a new town.
“He was not involved in the founding of the Town, where I was so I had a head start and Eddy was playing catch-up,” Johnson said.
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October 14, 2026 by Tammy Cheek
The Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen unanimously appointed Earle Lawrence Segrest to fill the vacant North Ward alderman seat during its meeting Thursday, Oct. 8.
Segrest is scheduled to be sworn in Thursday, Oct. 22, and will serve the remainder of the unexpired term, which ends in August 2028, according to Town Administrator David Smoak.
Segrest was one of seven people who applied for the appointment. The other applicants were Michael Bittel, who withdrew his name from consideration; Dian Hall; Sharafat Khan; Trevor McQueen; Malcolm “Col” Stiefel, who did not attend the meeting; and Stacy Walters.
Smoak said Khan was ineligible for the appointment because he lives in a different ward.
After receiving the applications, Smoak said Board members had an opportunity to speak with the applicants. A public forum also was held before the appointment.
During the Oct. 8 meeting, each eligible applicant was given three minutes to introduce themselves and answer questions from the board.
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October 14, 2026 by Tammy Cheek
Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen unanimously approved a $248,900 contract with GCE Construction to build a parking lot and pathway at the Red Mill spillway property during its meeting Thursday, Oct. 8.
The property is at the northwest corner of Turkey Creek and Concord Road.
“In August 2020, the Town received a 6.43-acre parcel that included Red Mill Spillway from an anonymous donor,” said Chris Sheffield, Town director of Public Services. “Turkey Creek runs through the property and was dammed to create a spillway. This scenic area is beautiful, but not easily accessible.”
He said construction will include a 10-space parking lot and a paved pathway leading to an overlook of the spillway.
“Six construction firms submitted bids,” Sheffield said. “Two were disqualified for not meeting specified requirements. GCE Construction was the low bid at $248,900.
“The overall project budget, including design, is $335,000,” he said. “Construction for the parking lot and pathway is projected to take 75 days from notice to proceed.”
Sheffield said Town staff recommended approval of the $248,900 contract with GCE Construction, along with a 5% contingency of $12,445 for potential change orders.
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