Big John Robert Babbitt, 75, of Dyersburg, passed away on Friday, February 13, 2015 at his residence following his fight against cancer.

He was a retired auto body repairman for Lowery's Body Shop, where he worked for over 36 years. He was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church. Big John was a member of the Volunteer Examiner Amateur Radio Service, the Amateur Radio Operator WB4RCK and W4FN, the Rag Chewers Club, the American Radio Relay League and the Military Affiliate Radio System ADM4RCK. He was also members of the Country Cousins Amateur Radio Network, the ARRL DXCC Honor Roll WB4RCK, the Forked Deer Antique Car Club and the Disabled Veteran's Association. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran, serving on the U.S.S. Lexington.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday in the chapel of Dyersburg Funeral Home with the Rev. Bill Phipps officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery.

The family will receive visitors from 5-8 p.m. Sunday at Dyersburg Funeral Home.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Shirley Babbitt of Dyersburg; four daughters, Yvonne Gray and Debbie Melton Hayes (Lonnie) all of Dyersburg, Jo Ann Friend (Stevie) of Frog Jump and Sheila Meeks (Gary) of Gadsden; a son, Brad Babbitt (Courtney) of Dyersburg; a sister, Ethel Babyak (Mike) of Randolph, N.J.; a brother, Tom Babbitt (Dani) of Slidell, LA; ten grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, John Babbitt, Jr.; his parents, George and Alice Babbitt; and two great-grandsons, Gavin Gray and Cotton Gray.

Pallbearers will be Jesse Gray, Joseph Melton, Terry Friend, Shane Gray, Will Meeks, Ricky Lowery and David Lowery. Honorary pallbearers will be Gerald Edgell, Tony Jones, and his sons-in-law, Lonnie Hayes, Stevie Reynolds and Gary Meeks.