Joseph Chalmers Obituary

"Keep it in the fairway!" Saying he often used that applied far beyond the golf course.
Joe will always be remembered for love of his family and the game of golf. Joe made Knoxville his home, but he learned to play golf on the other side of the world.His father was a diplomat who traveled the world with his family in tow. Golf set its hooks into him at an early age, and he was powerless to do anything but go along for the ride
Joe gave Tennessee amateur golf one of its most beloved tournaments, the Four-Bal, and ran it for more than forty years. He championed the creation of the Senior Four-Bal, served two terms as President of Tennessee Golf Association, and was an Associate Director of the Southern Golf Association. He was also a former board member at both Fox Den and Holston Hils Country Club. Some of his fondest golf memories were playing rounds with good friends at Augusta National and in Scotland. After undergoing surgery in 2008, Joe stepped away from the game he loved and left his beloved Fox Den Country Club where he had been a member for over forty years and a multiple time club champion. Now, he plays the golden course in Heaven, surrounded by old friends and endless fairways.
Joe was a retired Commercial Realtor holding a CCIM designation, a Navy Veteran, and was once named one of Knoxville Best Dressed Men; His passion for gardening-especially roses and orchids brought him great joy.
Joe is survived by his loving wife, Rita (Douglas) Chalmers and was preceded in death by his first wife Wilma (1993); his son Scott and his brother Jimmy. He is also survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and Robert Torbett; grandchildren Kristin and Scott Torbett, and six great-grandchildren: stepchildren Robbin, Russel, and Jason Douglas: sister-in-law Becki Chalmers. He also leaves behind his adopted family: Tom and Laura Martin and his special girls Abby Rose (Yates), Caroline (Sette), and Erica (Shreve) Douglas.
His strong and guiding hand will always be with us when we face life's decision.
Special thanks to Dr John Showalter, Tara Carroll, Margaret Keele, and all the staff at Covenant Therapy and NHC Farragut.
BIG JOE, we will miss you so much.
A private service for family and close friends on May 29th at 12:30 pm will be held at the Veteran's Cemetery Sevier Hwy Knoxville TN 37920. In lieu of flowers Joe requested a donation be made to either.
* Tunnel to Towers Foundation, to assist disabled servicemen and firefighters
* Tennessee Golf Foundation, 400 Franklin Road, Franklin TN 37069
Online condolences may be expressed at www.rosefuneraltn.com.