A handsome, inquisitive, thoughtful young man slipped away from all of us on February 5, 2025—much too soon. Seth Fugate indelibly touched countless individuals throughout all walks of life with his charm, personality, wit, and sly grin. His lasting legacy will reflect heartfelt humanity to family, friends, animals, and nature.

Born July 2, 1993, Seth attended Oak Ridge Public Schools and graduated Class of 2011. Tall, lean, and athletic— he lived for adventure. He hiked, kayaked, mountain biked, explored backwoods on all-terrain vehicles, snowboarded, and camped overnight in any weather. He solo trekked The East Coast Greenway from Bangor, ME to Key West, FL, for unobstructed beautiful landscapes. He loved spending time alone as much as with any constant childhood companion.

Blessed with divergent thinking, wisdom expanded multi-dimensionally. Seth discussed historical world geography, Greek geometric astronomy, cosmic theories, outer realms and galaxies, black holes, string theory, and extraterrestrial life. He argued political opinions, yet entertained opposing viewpoints. He participated in interactive online gaming, alternative podcast programs, and creation of musical lyric bars. Interests were knife and gun collecting, weightlifting, cooking, and creating meat rubs. He mastered construction assembly without guidance and was always available for handyman assistance. Seth had begun tracing genealogy and was building a photographic family tree. His favorite job was chauffeuring Granny Rita to the casino. He was graduating this Spring with full credentials in Southeastern Area Joint Apprenticeship Committee Boilermakers’ Welding Certification.

Left to grieve are mother Karen E. Yarborough and half-brother Noah D. Newport. Father is David D. Fugate, with 100-yr. old paternal grandmother Lorene S. Fugate of Viva Senior Living-Oak Ridge. He was a favorite among aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family, friends (old and new), co-workers/colleagues, and current classmates. 

He is preceded in death by maternal grandparents Bill and Rita Yarborough, paternal grandfather Kenneth Fugate, and uncles Chris Yarborough and John Fugate. Great-grandparents were Minnie and G.C. Yarborough, Trent and Arlene Bridges, Elmer and Beulah Peyton, and Clay and Ada Sewell. He studied matriarch landowner great-great maternal grandmother Perry M. Wells and was savings funds to buy native property. Seth carried anguish from early deaths of numerous close friends.

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Please drop in to say goodbye and comfort the family 1:00-3:00 pm, February 22, 2025, at Jackson Funeral Home and Cremation, 51 Edmonds Drive, Oliver Springs, TN 37840 for a Celebration of Life memorial. Internment of Ashes Ceremony will be held at a future time and location to be announced. The family appreciates everyone sharing favorite stories and pictures of Seth on the tribute wall.