A 1962 graduate of Kansas State University with a degree in milling technology, Mr. Abercrombie began his career as a milling trainee at International Multifoods Corp. in Salina, Kas. From 1965 to 1968, he was head miller at International Multifoods in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, taking over as mill superintendent for the company’s Cleveland facility in 1969.
In 1972, he joined Seaboard Corp., where he helped build, start up and manage the company’s mill in Nigeria. Two years later, he returned to the United States, where he helped start up and manage Seaboard’s mill in Port Allen, La. Between 1978 and 1982, he managed Seaboard mills in Albany, N.Y., and Chattanooga.
In 1982, he joined Cargill Flour Milling (now Horizon Milling) as Southeast operations manager in Chattanooga when Cargill acquired the domestic operations of Seaboard.
In 1992, Abercrombie became the Eastern region operations manager for Horizon Milling. He retired in 2006.
Mr. Abercrombie received the 2005 Milling Operative of the Year award at the 109th technical conference of the International Association of Operative Millers in Nashville, Tenn.
In nominating Mr. Abercrombie for the Milling Operative of the Year award in 2005, Bruce Carlson, facility manager, Horizon Milling, Mankato, Minn., wrote, “His approach to any situation since I joined the company has been one of sincerity and a can-do attitude that is catching. He reflects what an operative miller is and should be: knowledgeable about the operation and care for those who care about what it is they do.
“On top of everything else, he is a good person. He enjoys life and those around him tend to enjoy life as well. His story-telling skills are legendary within the group of people he works with.”
Mr. Abercrombie was preceded in death by his wife of 36 years, Carol Abercrombie; a grandson, Christopher Abercrombie and his parents, Mildred and Wilbert Watson. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Ann Abercrombie; three sons, Allen Abercrombie and his wife, Jackie, of Knoxville, Tenn., James Abercrombie, of Hixson, Tenn., and John Abercrombie and his wife, Leah, of Knoxville; three step-daughters, Rebecca Postic, Theresa Postic and DeAnna Onken, and her husband, Nathan, all of Minnesota; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
A rosary service will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 5 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Soddy Daisy, with a mass of celebration scheduled for 11 a.m. on Feb. 5 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 10768 Dayton Pike, Soddy Daisy, TN 37379. Burial will follow in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Everett's name to the building fund at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, P.O. Box 1015, Soddy Daisy, TN 37384.