Former Crossville Councilman Wendell Kerley dies, was father of Jerry Kerley and Grandfather Jesse Kerley

The City of Crossville has announced the passing of former Crossville city councilman Wendell Kerley.  Kerley, 80, served on the council from November 1998 to November 2000.

Kerley's grandson Jesse Kerley also served on the city council and Wendell's son Jerry Kerley is the long-time director of water resources.

There will be only a private service and  grave side service for the family. No public service is planned. The family thanks all who have recognized their loss and expressed kind words for their loved one.

Councilman Wendell Kerley

in 2000

Wendell Kerley was appointed to the council for the remaining term of J. H. Graham's council term when Graham was elected Mayor in 1998.  Kerley ran for reelection in 2000 but was not reelected. 

Following the death of councilman Gene Turner, the council was deadlocked between appointing Turner's wife Ella and Wendell Kerley to fill Turner's remaining term eventually appointing Billy Logins.  Wendell Kerley also ran for Mayor of Crossville in 2002 but lost to J.H. Graham. 

Flags at Crossville city hall have been lowered to half-staff in recognition and memory of Wendell Kerley. 

Kerley owned the Crossville music store Strings and Things and purchased the Hotel Taylor where the music store was located for many years.  Kerley worked to restore the old hotel while operating the music store.  The building is currently home to numerous businesses and medical offices.  

Strange bedfellows? Graham political signs spotted in Kerley's yard across from city hall

Political Signs remain part of Crossville city council interactions

Signs promoting the election of former mayor J. H. Graham have shown up 

in the front yard of property owned by former city councilman Wendell Kerley, 

current councilman Jesse Kerley's grandfather

In the past, councilman Kerley ran for mayor against Mr. Graham, placing what the late councilman Boyd Wyatt considered controversial advertisements that created a problem for the city council when those ads were discussed at a council meeting in October of 2010. (See below)

In 2014, councilman Kerley battled then Mayor Graham over angry words reported between Mr. Graham and his father, director of the city's water resources department, Jerry Kerley.

Now members of the Kerley family appear to support Grahams's election to city council. Jesse Kerley is not seeking reelection to the council.

Discussion from July 8, 2014 council meeting

Below are videos from the October 12, 2010 city council meeting:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3