A former Clinton resident, Edward Carmack Dail, 82, of 199 Louisiana Ave., Oak Ridge, died Sunday at Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge. A Jacksboro native, Mr. Dail moved to Oak Ridge in 1943 from Spring Street in Clinton.

He was a State Fire Department instructor under the Vocational and Educational Programs of the University of Tennessee. He owned and operated the General Fire Equipment Company in Clinton and Oak Ridge for over 50 years. He had also worked with the former Magnet Mills in Clinton, and at Shemco Mining and E&E Coal Company in Morgan County.

Mr. Dail joined the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department in 1933. He had been a member of the First Baptist Church of Clinton for more than 50 years. He was also a member of the Alpha Masonic Lodge, No. 376, F&AM in Clinton for over 40 years.

He was employed by the Oak Ridge Fire Department in 1943 and became a captain, the first deputy chief, and chief after the incorporation of the city. During this time, he wrote and compiled a procedure in fire prevention and fire safety inspection manual on residence and commercial buildings and a manual that outlined strategy and tactics in firefighting and rescue evolution.

He was instrumental in the department’s winning of the National Fire Prevention and Safety Award, winning over large cities in the United States and Canada.

Other interests included civic activities and sports. He had played and managed softball and baseball teams; worked with Boy Scouts and was a March of Dimes volunteer and American Red Cross first aid and water safety chairman. He had also been a close order drill instructor for the Clinton National Guard and a first lieutenant in the Home National Guard during World War II, and was a member of the Clinton Lions Club.

Survivors include his wife of over 50 years, Mary Elizabeth Dail; sons and daughter-in-law, Thomas M. and Patricia Dail of Oak Ridge; James E. Dail of Atlanta, GA; daughter and son-in-law, Mary Ann and James C. Terry of Powell; two grandsons; one granddaughter; three great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Graveside services were held today (Wednesday) at Sunset Cemetery with the Rev. Samuel Dean officiating. Holley-Gamble Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Source:
Clinton Courier News
20 June 1990