Longtime attorney Dempster passes away
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While full obituary information for Mr. Dempster won’t be available until later today, High’s Funeral Home will be handling arrangements. Officials at High’s said Dempster died at Manchester Medical Center.
Dempster was appointed as city attorney in the mid 1970s when Charles Haston moved from that position to circuit court judge. Charles Bogle was a member of the Board of Mayor and Alderman at that time and said Dempster made considerable contributions to the city.
“I’m not sure what kind of back-up plan they have as far as finding someone to fill his role, but it will be quite a blow to the city,” said Bogle.
Dempster was a longtime member of Central Church of Christ where he taught a Sunday school class for young married couples up until a few years ago. He taught the class so long, it became known as the Dempster Class.
Dempster overcame a stroke a few years back. Rehabilitation was successful and he was able to continue working and regained his health.
“He was just one of those people who you felt comfortable talking to, no matter what it was about,” said Bogle.
He was known as Judge Dempster for the years he served as general sessions judge. The title stuck with him long after he left the bench.
“He was one of the most helpful people there was for young attorneys starting out here,” said county attorney Larry Stanley. “And he was one of the most knowledgeable attorneys in all of Middle Tennessee when it came to utility law.”
Central elder Jimmy Griffith remembers Dempster as a good friend.
“We used to go hang out at the drugstore and drink coffee and hang around the crowd up there,” said Griffith. “We liked it so much, sometimes we would do it twice a day.”