Philip Bachman Obituary

Philip Morelock Bachman, Jr.

August 29, 1937 -

August 4, 2025

BRISTOL, VA - Philip Morelock Bachman, Jr. passed away on August 4, 2025 at Durham-Hensley Health & Rehabilitation in Chuckey at the age of 87. Phil was born in Bristol, Virginia on August 29,1937. He was the third child of Ruth Cox Bachman and Philip M. Bachman, Sr. He and his family lived in Bristol, Tennessee for much of his childhood.

Phil moved from Bristol to Greeneville, Tennessee with his mother at the age of 13. He graduated Greeneville High School in 1955. Phil attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, graduating in 1962 with a degree in Business Administration. His interest in business

led him to study towards a Master of Business Administration degree at East Tennessee State University. He was an enthusiastic member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon at both universities.

During early adulthood Phil had a passion for competitive go-karts. For about 15 years, he built, sold, and raced go-karts. His racing quests took him across the United States to tracks spanning from Florida to Washington. His most notable season was 1973 when he clinched first place in his class at the World Karting Association Enduro Nationals.

Phil was an entrepreneur at heart. His early ventures ranged from a go-kart distributorship to a bar and grill. However, his longest-lasting pursuit was the automobile business.

A passion for cars led him to purchase Pless Pontiac-Cadillac in May of 1967. At the age of 29, Phil was the youngest Cadillac dealer in the United States. The dealership was located on Tusculum Boulevard in Greeneville. In 1973, Phil built and relocated to a new dealership facility on what was, at the time, a farm on the outskirts of town. Located on the same property was Wheels, Inc., a business selling bicycles, motorcycles, power equipment, and Honda cars.

Phil expanded the automobile franchises in the 1970s. In 1976 and 1978, respectively, he acquired what would become Phil Bachman Toyota in Johnson City and started Phil Bachman

Honda in Kingsport. Phil moved Honda Wheels in Greeneville to Morristown and renamed it Honda Morristown. In 1984, Myron Bernard became Phil's partner in the Greeneville dealership,

and it became Bachman-Bernard.

Phil built an automotive network comprised of four dealerships across four towns in Northeast Tennessee. Over the span of his 54-year career, Phil represented for various lengths of time

Pontiac, Cadillac, Buick, GMC, Chevrolet, Honda, Toyota, Scion, Datsun, Nissan, AMC, Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Renault, and Delorean. The General Motors dealership in Greeneville

spanned all 54 years.

Phil owed much of his success to his invaluable mentors, partners, associates. He felt particular gratitude towards Myron Bernard and the late Jim Stouffer, Phil's longstanding manager of the

Tri-Cities and Morristown automotive group. The friendships with both gentlemen were priceless to Phil.

Cars were not merely an occupation for Phil but rather a love and hobby. In 1984, Phil finally achieved his dream of owning a Ferrari. He became active in the Ferrari Club of America. His combination of mechanical inclination and attention to detail earned him a reputation as a formidable Ferrari restorer and successful show entrant. Phil also was a judge of Ferrari cars, having earned the highest rank of Distinguished Judge. The pinnacle of his decades-long passion

for Ferrari was his participation in the FXX Programme, a factory-organized track series for the exclusive cars.

Phil served on the board of directors of the Greene County Bank, later renamed GreenBank, from 1967 until mandatory retirement in 2007. Phil considered it an honor to serve the community in that capacity. The Greene County Bank was near and dear to his heart, primarily

because of his stepfather's mentorship. His stepfather was president of the bank when Phil moved to Greeneville as a boy. Phil was also a board member of Mountain Life Insurance Company based in Alcoa, Tennessee for many years.

Phil was a continuous member of the Greeneville Rotary Club for 56 years, the club's longest-serving member. A second-generation Rotarian, he appreciated the mission and values of the civic club. He was a Paul Harris Fellow and past president of the club. Phil was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Greeneville for over 70 years. He served on Session for the church.

Tenacity was among Phil's top personality traits. Throughout any pursuit and phase of life he found himself in, he exhibited strong willpower. "Go for it" was not only a favorite saying of Phil's but, indeed, a mentality. Phil had an ethos of continually aspiring, working toward the next goal.

Phil was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Massengill Bachman; his parents, Philip M. Bachman, Sr. and Ruth Cox Wakefield, and stepfather Paul C. Wakefield; his sisters, Ruth Bachman Richards (husband Mark Richards) and Gloria Bachman Rachmacey (husband Joseph V. Rachmacey); his father-in-law J.W. Massengill and mother-in-law Willie C. Massengill; and his nephews Milton B. Abercrombie and Phil Bachman Abercrombie.

Phil is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Philip M. Bachman, III and Amanda L. Bachman; his niece, Victoria Abercrombie Hays, and his nephews, Paul Abercrombie (wife Mary Ann Abercrombie), Mark Richards, Russ Richards; and several great nieces and nephews.

The Bachmans extend heartfelt thanks to all of Phil's caregivers. His recent caregivers were Renee Morelock, Samantha Morelock, Bobbie Roderick, Lisa Gosnell, and Christine Tipton. They extend gratitude to the staff at Durham-Hensley Health & Rehabilitation. The Bachmans

also thank special helpers Lynn Petree, Gustavo Galvan, and Larry Clever.

A memorial service will be held in the sanctuary at First Presbyterian Church in Greeneville, Tennessee on Thursday, August 7 at 3:00 PM. Phil will be laid to rest at Glenwood Cemetery in Bristol, Tennessee after a private family service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to First Presbyterian Church, 100 North Main Street,

Greeneville, TN 37743.

Thoughts and memories may be shared with the family at www.jeffersmortuary.com