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   City of Sevierville Alderman Claude Ownby, who served as an alderman for 19 years, passed away Tuesday, June 19, at the age of 77.

  Claude was first elected as a City Alderman in 1993 and served continuously through this year. He served on numerous City boards and committees, including the Sevier County Electric System Board since 1996. He was also Vice Mayor from 1995 - 2003.

  In 1963, he began working as a lineman at the Sevier County Electric System, and held positions in the engineering department and operations center before leaving in 1984.

Claude also worked for Sevier County government in several capacities, including as a bridge inspector in the road department and as a Judicial Magistrate Deputy Clerk in General Sessions Court.

As a City of Sevierville Alderman, Claude was involved in numerous significant accomplishments such as building a new City Hall and Police Department, relocating the Public Works Department and development of the Central Business Improvement District.

Mayor Bryan Atchley said “Claude's candor and good common sense will be missed by the community and his friends.”

“Claude always had the best interest of his city at heart, Vice Mayor Devin Koester said. “You never had to guess where he stood on an issue because he would always tell you his view. I hope we can continue to serve our citizens with the same compassion and consideration as he has for so many years. Claude will be deeply missed by all of us.”

Alderman Carr said “although I enjoyed politics, having been elected to a position of trust by my fellow citizens was rather challenging. Claude took me under his wing and became one of the best mentors of my life. He taught me to listen first, speak briefly but with conviction about the cause I believed in. He was always there for the ‘new guy.’  If you wanted his opinion he gave it. If you didn't, you were on your own.  But the truth of the matter, everyone listened to Claude. He made sense of things. No wonder he served for nearly 20 years. He was loved but most of all, he garnered everyone's respect.”

“Claude gave so much to the citizens for such a long time,” Alderman Travis McCroskey said. “You really can’t replace what Claude did every day for our City and County.”

Alderman Wayne Helton said “I have known Claude just about my entire life, and he has been a great help to me personally as a fellow alderman over the past year. He will be dearly missed by the City.”

City Administrator Russell Treadway, who worked with Claude earlier in his career as well as currently, said “I will miss Claude, personally and professionally. He has been a significant part of the City and community for so many years.”