Erby Roy Nankivell, Jr., 95, of Ft. Myers, Florida and formerly of Athens, died Saturday, June 7, 2014, at Shell Point Retirement Community. A native of McMinn County, he was a son of the late Erby Roy, Sr and Margaret Farrell Nankivell, and was also preceded in death by a sister, Margaret Beene Proffitt, and a brother, Dr. James Jefferson Nankivell.
He was a member of Keith Memorial United Methodist Church of Athens and the Faith United Methodist Church of Ft. Myers, Florida. He was a strong family man and inventor.
He was a graduate of Tennessee Wesleyan College, University of Tennessee in Knoxville, and did post graduate work at MIT and Harvard University. He served in the U.S. Marines during World War II, where he obtained the rank of Captain. After World War II, he served in the engineering department of Athens Plow Company and soon after joined his brother-in-law, Jones C. Beene, III, in the founding of Plastic Industries, serving as vice president. He also founded the Ralide Company a subsidiary of Plastic Industries, serving as president of the company. Following his retirement in 1976 he and his wife moved to Marco Island, Florida and later moved to Ft. Myers, Florida, where he was an avid outdoorsman and fisherman.
He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Jean Bush Nankivell of Ft. Myers, Florida; three beloved daughters, Kathleen Keil (Edward) of Suffolk, VA, Rebecca Tiller (Russell) of Mt. Pleasand, SC, and Elizabeth Wilson (Anthony) of Fernandina Beach, Florida; six grandchildren, Jennifer Sawyer (Mark) of Chesapeake, VA, Nathan DeVault of Orlando, FL, Mathew Forrester (Kristy) of Chesapeake, VA, Stuart DeVault (Megan) of Mt. Pleasant, SC, Amy Hale (Brad) of Tampa, FL and Laura Cordell (Brian) of Tampa, FL; and ten great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at a later date to be announced.
Memorial contributions may be made in Roy's memory to Keith Memorial United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1, Athens, TN 37371-0001 or Faith United Methodist Church, 15690 McGregor Blvd., Ft. Myers, FL 33908 or Tennessee Wesleyan College, 204 E. College Street, Athens, TN 37303.

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