Tom Robinson Wootten

Tom R. Wootten, 87, of Acworth died November 4, 2009 at Tranquility Hospice as a result of complications from Parkinson’s Disease. Service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home and Crematory in Marietta with Rev. Katie Strals and Rev. George Wannamaker officiating. Interment will be in Kennesaw Memorial Park Cemetery. Tom Wootten was well known throughout Cobb County and Georgia as the owner of Welker and Associates, providers of civil engineering services throughout Georgia and the Southeast. Many water tanks, gas lines and sewer systems for which he was responsible can still be found throughout the state. Mr. Wootten retired after 40 years in1986, but continued to be involved with the company’s outreach to numerous Georgia cities and counties. Mr. Wootten also served as a board member of the Georgia Rural Water Association from its beginning in 1980 until the present. A believer in local community involvement, Mr. Wootten was a member of Rotary International in Marietta, charter member and President of the Red Rock Community Club, and taught the Adult Sunday School Class at County Line Methodist Church for 55 years. He was Past Master of Kennesaw Lodge #33 F&AM in Marietta, Past Illustrious Master of the Marietta Council, Past Master of the 7th District Masonic Convention, Past Illustrious Master of the 7th District Council Convention, Chairman of the Marietta Masonic Temple Company, and Member of the Yaarab Shrine in Atlanta. Mr. Wootten was a member of the Cobb County School board 1964-70 and also served as Chairman. He encouraged parents to become involved in the education process as more than fundraisers, and believed citizen input was vital in determining the direction of education policy. Tom Wootten was very proud to have been the first member of Brookstone Country Club, and part of the first foursome to play the course. He was also a long-time member of the Marietta Country Club and considered visiting with the staff and members at Sunday brunch as part of his regular routine. Having served as a SeaBee, 6th Special Naval Construction Battalion, in Guadalcanal and Bougainville in World War II, Mr. Wootten often insisted “the SeaBees were the ones who paved and prepared the landing areas for the Marines, so who was there first?” Mr. Wootten was happily married to Miriam Hemphill Wootten of Moreland for 67 years and is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Bonnie and Richard Webb of Acworth; son and daughter-in-law, David and Cassandra Wootten of Acworth; and three grandsons, Ben Wootten and wife Susan and great-granddaughter Macy of Asheville, NC; Sam Wootten and wife Emily of Montgomery, AL; and Alex Webb and wife Megan currently of Aviano AFB, Italy. Additional survivors include his sister, Mayjo Wootten and husband Bob Finlay residing in Lafayette, Colorado; sister Sarah Nagel and husband Syl living in Somerset, Pennsylvania; and caretaker Gloria Hall of Hiram, GA. Tom R. Wootten, 87, of Acworth died November 4, 2009 at Tranquility Hospice as a result of complications from Parkinson’s Disease. Tom Wootten was well known throughout Cobb County and Georgia as the owner of Welker and Associates, providers of civil engineering services throughout Georgia and the Southeast. Many water tanks, gas lines and sewer systems for which he was responsible can still be found throughout the state. Mr. Wootten retired after 40 years in1986, but continued to be involved with the company’s outreach to numerous Georgia cities and counties. Mr. Wootten also served as a board member of the Georgia Rural Water Association from its beginning in 1980 until the present. A believer in local community involvement, Mr. Wootten was a member of Rotary International in Marietta, charter member and President of the Red Rock Community Club, and taught the Adult Sunday School Class at County Line Methodist Church for 55 years. He was Past Master of Kennesaw Lodge #33 F&AM in Marietta, Past Illustrious Master of the Marietta Council, Past Master of the 7th District Masonic Convention, Past Illustrious Master of the 7th District Council Convention, Chairman of the Marietta Masonic Temple Company, and Member of the Yaarab Shrine in Atlanta. Mr. Wootten was a member of the Cobb County School board 1964-70 and also served as Chairman. He encouraged parents to become involved in the education process as more than fundraisers, and believed citizen input was vital in determining the direction of education policy. Tom Wootten was very proud to have been the first member of Brookstone Country Club, and part of the first foursome to play the course. He was also a long-time member of the Marietta Country Club and considered visiting with the staff and members at Sunday brunch as part of his regular routine. Having served as a SeaBee, 6th Special Naval Construction Battalion, in Guadalcanal and Bougainville in World War II, Mr. Wootten often insisted “the SeaBees were the ones who paved and prepared the landing areas for the Marines, so who was there first?” Mr. Wootten was happily married to Miriam Hemphill Wootten of Moreland for 67 years and is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Bonnie and Richard Webb of Acworth; son and daughter-in-law, David and Cassandra Wootten of Acworth; and three grandsons, Ben Wootten and wife Susan and great-granddaughter Macy of Asheville, NC; Sam Wootten and wife Emily of Montgomery, AL; and Alex Webb and wife Megan currently of Aviano AFB, Italy. Additional survivors include his sister, Mayjo Wootten and husband Bob Finlay residing in Lafayette, Colorado; sister Sarah Nagel and husband Syl living in Somerset, Pennsylvania; and caretaker Gloria Hall of Hiram, GA. Family will receive friends 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. www.mayeswarddobbins.com