Feridun F. Gencay

Feridun F. Gencay

Powell - Feridun "Phil" Fikret Gencay, age 96, of Powell passed away at Signature Healthcare of Fentress on March 25, 2021.

He was born in Sivas, Turkey on August 29, 1924 and came to the United States in April of 1949 when he was 25 years old. He joined his younger brother "Frank" Fikret Gencay in Springfield, Mass. to further his education in this country. After learning English in 1950, he enrolled at the University of Tennessee. He graduated from U.T. in May of 1954 with a degree in Electrical Engineering and worked at Tennessee Valley Authority for 32 years. He met Dr. Lou Ella Miller at a YMCA dance and they have been inseparable ever since. They were married on December 22, 1951 in a double wedding ceremony with Lou's sister Barbara and Bill Sterling. The wedding took place at 5th Avenue Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he was baptized and became a member of the church. After his retirement from TVA in 1986, Feridun enjoyed traveling to Florida and loved being at the beach and spending time with friends, but his real passion was spending time with Lou.

Feridun is predeceased by his parents, Ali Riza and Emine Gencay; brothers, Faruk and Fikret Gencay; and sister, Engin Onder. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Lou Gencay; children, Denise Edmonds (Steve) of Powell, Jeffry of Powell, David (Kathy) of Powell and Lloyd (Elizabeth) of Michigan; and 13 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. A special mention of close friends, Frank and Mary Burns and a special thanks to Carolyn Major and Becky Wheatley for all of their visits and delicious meals and desserts made for them throughout the years.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer TN. Inc., 5801 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919 or at www.alztennessee.org. There will be a "Celebration of Life" planned to take place in October of this year.

Family and friends may share condolences online at www.sherwoodchapel.com.