Hamilton Place Insurance, Avid golfer, Mentor And Community Volunteer Leader

Monday, June 21, 2021

Doug Chinery

Doug left us to be with the Lord on Thursday, June 17, 2021. 

 He was born September 26, 1943 in Dumont, NJ and came to Chattanooga in his early teens.  He graduated from City High School and attended Tennessee Tech.   He liked to say he learned from the school of “hard knocks” being a Yankee in the South!  Those lessons served him well as he succeeded in his many endeavors.  He attributed his entrepreneurial success to the values and principles gained as a member of the Chattanooga Jaycees.  This was a group of young men who, as Doug said, “didn’t know they couldn’t do something”!   They were the driving force behind the building of the Jaycee Towers and were involved in the creation of Orange Grove, Blood Assurance, The Chattanooga Symphony, Big Brothers Association, Council for Alcohol and Drug Abuse and the Chattanooga Area Literacy Movement among others. 

He began his career in insurance with Provident in 1965 and was selected to become an actuary.  Deciding that was not the career path for him, he focused on insurance sales and established the Hamilton Place Insurance Agency in 1986.

Doug was a loyal friend and a mentor who routinely went out of his way to help others. He was active in the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce and worked in many of the membership campaigns.   He was a member of Business Network International for 17 years during which time he sponsored more than 43 members and held every leadership role in the organization. He was particularly proud of his association with Orange Grove where he served on the board for 18 years and was president for four. Doug was well respected by his peers and those he mentored in the insurance industry during his 56-year career. 

Doug was a Marine. Semper Fi. One of his happiest times was the round of golf he and his late friend, Bill Errickson, played at the Legends Golf Course on the base at Parris Island in 2019.  His golfing partners will tell you, as would he, Doug was not a great golfer, only playing three times a week, but he was persistent and colorful!  There are many great golf stories that are regaled by his golf buddies at Valleybrook! 

In his leisure time, golf was primary.  He and Marie attended the Masters 11 times. His favorite movies were the Sound of Music, It’s A Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street.  He watched Bridge on the River Kwai every time it was on and any Clint Eastwood movie.  He thoroughly enjoyed good wine and food, the spicier the better, and fish, anything that swam – except Spanish Mackerel – just ask Jeff.  He loved creating new dishes.  He had a band - The Impacts, with brother Paul, that was in high demand in the 60s.  One of his prized possessions was a Gibson SG 1 with Les Paul’s signature.  He enjoyed his cats, Prissy and Pepper, Miller Lite, golf, Vodka Martinis, Ireland (he and Marie traveled there six times), Irish Whiskey, crossword puzzles (in ink), ZZ Top, Chuck Maggiano, Atlas Shrugged and, of course, golf!  

Doug was a special one-of-a-kind good man and will be missed!  Particularly, his never give up attitude, his enthusiasm for life, his belief in Trump, his wisdom, his laugh and wicked dry humor.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Florence and Raymond Chinery.  

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Marie Gibson Chinery, sons Jeff (Dianne) Chinery, Spencer (Heidi) Chinery, grandchildren, Claire, Ella Grace, Ethan, Noble, David, Evan, Lucy, Adeline and Spencer Jr. Brothers, Paul (Linda) and Glenn Chinery, and several nieces and nephews.  

Memorial donations may be made to The American Cancer Society, your favorite nonprofit or Doug’s favorite, Trump 2024!

 Arrangements are under the care of the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com

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