Health care executive, community leader, and ultramarathon runner Kerry Trammell, left, talks to Interim Anderson County Mayor Myron Iwanksi duing a June 2012 candidate forum at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce.
Kerry Trammell—a health care executive, community leader, ultramarathon runner, and musician—died Thursday. He was 56.
Trammell died of natural causes at his Oak Ridge home, family friend Lori Anderson said Saturday morning.
Trammell was administrator at NHC HealthCare in Oak Ridge and board secretary for the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of the Elder Citizens Advisory Board and Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club, an emergency medical technician active with the Anderson County Volunteer Rescue Squad, and past chair of the U.S. Department of Energy’s local Site Specific Advisory Board.
In addition, Trammell was an accomplished bluegrass musician who played guitar and harmonica and an ultramarathon runner who regularly ran in 50K and 100-mile races, Anderson said.
“His passing is a shock to everyone,” she said. “He was young, and he knew how to take care of himself, and he did. This is just one of life’s curveballs that you never expect and just have real trouble dealing with.”
Kerry Trammell at the Grand Canyon (Last two photos courtesy of Lori Anderson)
Trammell had run 100-mile races in California, Colorado, Utah, and Virginia, Anderson said. He ran the Pikes Peak Marathon in Colorado in the late 1980s or early 1990s, she said.
“He was a very good runner, but he was out there because he loved it,” Anderson said. “It was more of a personal challenge.”
Trammell’s cousin, Bill Stone of Clinton, said Trammell started playing music at the University of Tennessee in the mid- to late-1970s. A good tenor singer, Trammell played with a local bluegrass band called Summer Wind, Stone said.
“He’s a very well-liked person,” Stone said. “He’s the kind of person that would do anything for you.”
Trammell is survived by his wife Leslie Trammell, stepchildren Hayley Hunt and Robert Hunt, and a sister and father.
A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton. Another will be held from 5 to 5:45 p.m. Monday at Memorial United Methodist Church in Clinton.
A short service is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday at the church, Anderson said. There will be food and fellowship after that service, she said.
Trammell, center, with wife Leslie Trammell and friend Tony Anderson in Hawaii.
Karen Bridgeman says
Kerry was a remarkable man in many ways — most particularly in the size of his heart and his willingness to respond to others’ needs. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends he leaves behind. Kerry, run on!
Melisa Anderson says
Kerry was such a wonderful person. He loved the Oak Ridge community and served it in so many ways. He was very accomplished in everything he did, but mostly he was a great family man and a wonderful friend. Our family was blessed to call him friend and we will never forget the kindness he had shown to our father. Our prayers for peace and comfort are with his family.
John Huotari says
Thank you both for sharing. I didn’t talk to Kerry often as a reporter, but I always enjoyed it when I did.