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George Thomas Tepley, 63, a lifelong resident of Chattanooga, passed away after lengthy illness on Sunday, April 10, 2011.

Mr. Tepley was the son of the late George Lewis and Audrey O. Tepley, also of Chattanooga.

He is survived by his children, John Tepley, of Tucson, Ariz.,
                                              Anne Marie Kerr, of Franklin, Tenn.,
                                              Angie Marie Cothern, of Chattanooga,
                                              Amy Marie Arnold, of Jackson, Tenn.;
          and his devoted friend  Mary Anne Tepley.

In addition, he was blessed with six grandchildren, Ryan and Madeline Kerr, Katelyn and Drew Cothern, as well as Madison and Mallory Arnold. He is also survived by his siblings, Katherine Knight of Houston, Texas, and Steve Tepley, of Monteagle, Tenn.An outstanding junior golfer, he graduated from City High School in 1966, where he captained the 1966 Tennessee high school champion golf team. He then attended the Marion Military Institute and did a tour of duty at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pa. Following his military service he worked as a master golf club designer at the Pro-Group/Arnold Palmer Companies. In addition, he was a golf teaching professional for several years. After a decade long career in manufacturing sales for J.R. Richards Co. he co-founded the Tepley Glove Co., which specialized in the design, manufacture and distribution of unique, custom fitted golf and other sports gloves. He was affiliated with TGC in the capacity of master designer, vice president and president during his tenure there and was instrumental in furnishing gloves to some of the leading PGA tour players including Paine Stewart and Arnold Palmer.His final five years were spent in sales and devotion to his family in Chattanooga. He was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church. Known as "Hollywood" or "Tuffy" or "Poppy" to those who loved and appreciated him most, he will be greatly missed for his vibrant spirit and infectious charm.There will be visitation at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 20, 2011.A funeral mass will follow at 12:30 p.m.The family requests that in lieu flowers donations be made to Hospice of Chattanooga.Send condolences at www.CovenantFuneral.com.Arrangements are by Covenant Funeral & Cremation Service, Crox family owned and operated.