Widmer, Edward J., age 86, left his earthly home on December 24, 2017. A resident of Gatlinburg, TN, Ed was born on May 31, 1931 in Denver, Colorado. He graduated from Colorado State with a BS in Forest Recreation in 1953. He spent three years in the U.S. Army serving as a Lieutenant in Field Artillery. He began his career with the National Park Service as a Ranger stationed at Rocky Mountain National Park, followed by assignments at Big Bend, Yosemite, and Yellowstone National Parks. He also served at the Bandelier National Monument and held a post at the Department of the Interior in Washington, DC. His last post was at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. He followed his many years in forestry with a second career as a restaurant manager at the Pancake Pantry in Gatlinburg, TN. After retirement, he assisted his wife with their two gift shops in The Village in Gatlinburg. Ed will always be remembered as a loving husband, generous, sacrificial, full of life and humorous father and a smiling, caring and involved “Pops” to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He lived his life as a devoted servant leader. He will be sorely missed by his family who loved him dearly. He is preceded in death by parents, Joubert and Frances Wendelin Widmer; and brother-in-law, Bob Burroughs. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Eileen Johnson Widmer; sons, Dale (Kimberly), Randy, Keith (Melinda) Widmer; and daughter, Dana Thompson (Ed) all of Knoxville, TN; sister, Helen Burroughs of Denver, CO; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ron and Darlene Johnson of Sun City, CA; grandchildren, Nathan (Brandy) Widmer, Alex (Leanne) Widmer, Nick Widmer, McLean (Jimbo) Wilhite, Conner and Madeline Thompson, and Natalie Widmer; great grandchildren, McKinley Widmer, James Wilhite, and Clara Widmer; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. A special thanks to Ben Atchley State Veterans Home, especially the staff in “D” wing who loved and cared for Ed and extended endless comfort, laughter and kindness to his loved ones. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made to Alzheimer’s Tennessee, 5801 Kingston Pk., Knoxville, TN 37919 or Friends of the Smokies, 3099 Winfield Dunn Pkwy #2, Kodak, TN 37764. There will be a Celebration of Life service 11:30 a.m. Thursday, December 28th at the Cedar Springs Chapel, 9132 Kingston Pk. Knoxville, TN, receiving of friends to follow, and a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 29th at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 305 Historic National Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 with Reverend Antony Punnackal officiating. Online condolences may be made at www.atchleyfuneralhome.com