Dr. George Latta Jr.

Dr. George Haworth Latta Jr., 79, of Chattanooga, passed away on Monday, Sept. 29, 2014. Dr. Latta was born in Oak Park, Ill. to the late George and Marie Latta. The family later moved to Fulton, Mo.,where he graduated from Westminster College where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta. He later received his DDS from the University of Missouri at Kansas City. He was a lifelong member of the Catholic faith and a parishioner at St. Peter and Paul Basilica. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, was an avid golfer, and he and his wife enjoyed traveling together. He was also a member of the Chattanooga Area Dental Society and the Tennessee Dental Association. Dr. Latta retired from the U.S. Army where he served in the Dental Corp including service in Vietnam before retiring as a Full Colonel in 1986. He served in Vietnam, Germany, and various locations in the USA. He was the recipient of the Legion of Merit Award, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal four times, as well as numerous other medals. After retirement from the Army, Dr. Latta served 18 years of academic teaching including the College of Dentistry, University of Tennessee, as well as did volunteer work at Hamilton County Health Department Dental Clinic. He also had his work published multiple times in various professional publications and peer reviewed journals. His professional awards included being a Life Diplomat for the American Board of Prosthodontics, a Life Member of the American Dental Association, American Prosthodontic Society, American College of Prosthodontists and the American Association of Dental Schools. Honorary Professional Awards include the U.S. Army Surgeon General "A" Specialty Designator, the University of Tennessee National Alumni Association Outstanding Teacher Award and the University of Tennessee, College of Dentistry Distinguished Dental Faculty Award. His academic appointments included Professor with tenure, Department of Prosthodontics at the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry and Professor Emeritus at the University of Tennessee, College of Dentistry Department of Restorative Dentistry. Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Charlotte Major Latta; children, Dr. George H. Latta III and his wife, Teresa, of Salt Lake City, Utah, Mary McElhannon and husband, Dr. Rembert, of Athens, Ga., and Anne Durden and husband, John of Bartow, Ga.; grandchildren, Hannah, Jack and Caroline McElhannon and Molly and John Durden III; and sister, Cynthia Romanin, of Lake St. Louis, Mo. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Additional visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Friday at OLPH Catholic Church. A Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 3, 2014 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church with Rev. James Vick officiating. Burial will follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project (223 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, Suite 301, Nashville, TN 37203). Please share your condolences at www.chattanoogaeastchapel.com. Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory, and Florist, 404 S. Moore Road.