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Herbert Eugene Trammell, age 80, of Oak Ridge, passed away on Sunday, March 30, 2008, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was at home and was surrounded by his wife and four children at the time of his death.

He had a life full of the joys of family, church, community service, and professional achievement.

He was a diehard fan of sports in general and Ole Miss football in particular. He enjoyed playing golf and was a member of the Oak Ridge Country Club for over 50 years.

He began playing the trombone at an early age and played with the Ole Miss “Mississippians” jazz band. He continued to enjoy jazz throughout his life.

In his 20 years of retirement, he was a passionate gardener at his home in Key West, Florida.

Herbert was born in 1927 in Laurel, Ms. After serving in the US Navy from 1945-46, he graduated from the University of Mississippi with a Master’s degree in Physics in 1949. He joined Union Carbide in 1949 and spent his early and mid career in research and development to improve the efficiency of uranium enrichment plants in the United States. From 1969-1977 he served as Director of the Gaseous Diffusion Development Division at the Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant and concurrently as Manager of the Advanced Isotope Separation Program. In 1977, he became Director of the Engineering Technology Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he was responsible for programs in advanced reactor technology development, fossil energy technology development, and analytical studies for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Department of Energy. He retired in 1989 after 40 years of service.

During his life in Oak Ridge, Herbert served in leadership positions with the First United Methodist Church, the Parent-Teacher Association, the Emory Valley School for Retarded Children, and the Oak Ridge Rotary Club. He enjoyed his long membership and many friends in Rotary, for which he served as president in 1980-81, served as a board member, and attended International Rotary conventions.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Evie Louisa and Homer Lee Trammell, and his brother, Homer Conrad Trammell. He is survived by his wife Jane Walker Trammell; daughter Carmen Trammell and son-in-law Tom Swain of Knoxville; son Bert Trammell of Port St. Lucie, Fl.; daughter Lisa Trammell Thomas and son-in-law Buzz Thomas of Maryville; son Brian Trammell and daughter-in-law Zayna Trammell of Knoxville; sister Orpal Armstrong and brother-in-law Cleston Armstrong of Oklahoma City, Ok.; sister-in-law Gail Trammell of Kokomo, In.; grandchildren Rachel and Sarah Thomas, and Andrew, Alex, Rebecca, and Charlie Trammell; and nephews Lee and Terry Armstrong.

Herbert was a devoted son, husband, and father, and was deeply admired and loved by his family. The family will commit his ashes in a private gathering at the Memorial Garden at First United Methodist Church.

A memorial service for family and friends will be held on Tuesday, April 1, 2008, at 7:00pm at First United Methodist Church in Oak Ridge. A reception to celebrate his life will be held immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church or a charity of choice.