Oak Ridge Today

Obituary: Richard Boston “RB” Russell

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Richard Boston "RB" Russell

Richard Boston “RB” Russell

Richard Boston “RB” Russell, age 87, went home to be with the Lord, February 4, at his home in Oliver Springs.

R.B. was born November 12, 1927. He grew up and continued to live in Coalfield until his marriage to his late wife of 51 years, Emma Jean Davis Russell.

While living in Coalfield, he was recognized as an outstanding football player at Coalfield High School and his athleticism followed him throughout his life.

He entered into the United States Army and served our country during the Korean War, where he received several commendations.  [Read more…]

Obituary: Bonnie Lee Bell Griffin

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Bonnie Lee Griffin

Bonnie Lee Griffin

Bonnie Lee Bell Griffin, age 93, a 65-year resident of Oak Ridge, passed away of natural causes, Friday, January 30. She had been living with her youngest son, Ed Griffin and his wife Roberta Crowe in Huntsville, Alabama, for the past four years until recent medical issues required a move to Bailey Manor in Fayetteville, Tennessee.

Bonnie was born December 18, 1921, in Sandoval, Illinois, to John Bell of Haverigg, England, and Rilla Mae McVeigh of Clay County, Illinois. She was the youngest of five children; her brother John Harold, and sisters Alice Margret, Gertrude Mae, and Mary Oleta all preceded her in death.

Bonnie left her parents home in Flora, Illinois, to attend McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois, in 1941, where she earned a teaching certificate and met her future husband, Paul M. Griffin. She had a diversity of interests in college including the Literary Society, the Theater Group, The Women’s Athletic Group, and the Women’s Basketball team. In her sophomore year, Bonnie was elected the football homecoming queen. [Read more…]

Obituary: Nels Kenneth ‘Ken’ Bernander

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Ken Bernander

Ken Bernander

Nels Kenneth “Ken” Bernander, 93, of Oak Ridge, passed away on Saturday, February 3, at Ft. Sanders Regional Medical Center.

He was born to parents Rudolf and Roberta Bernander on December 17, 1921, in Money, Mississippi.

Ken graduated from Mississippi State University in 1942, receiving his degree in chemical engineering. He worked at the Y-12 Facility from 1944-1985, holding various positions. From 1968-1985, he was division superintendent over Product Certification.

After his retirement, he served as a consultant with Martin Marietta. [Read more…]

Obituary: Janna Kay Songer

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Janna Kay Songer

Janna Kay Songer

Mrs. Janna Kay Songer, age 35, of Oak Ridge, passed away Sunday, February 1, at Methodist Medical Center.

Janna was a Christian and a devoted member of Lifehouse Church in Oak Ridge, where her husband Jeremy is pastor.

She had worked for several years as an eligibility counselor for the Tennessee Department of Human Services, studying at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Karen Rerden Sullivan. [Read more…]

Obituary: Joanne Stern Gailer

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Joanne Gailer passed away January 19 at her home.

She was born January 30, 1925, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Percival and Ethel Stern.

Joanne was a diversity coordinator for Union Carbide. [Read more…]

Obituary: David Justus Johnson Jr.

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

David Justus Johnson Jr.

David Justus Johnson Jr.

David Justus Johnson Jr., age 93, of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, passed away on December 20, 2014, after a brief illness and a long life.

David was born in Chicago, Illinois, and graduated from Armour Tech (Illinois Institute of Technology). He met his wife of 69 years, Jane Louise Somers, of Evanston, Illinois, on a blind date arranged by a member of her brother Roger Ward Somer’s jazz band.

He is survived by his children David Somers Johnson (Galina), Ann Scappaticci, Roger Ward Johnson (Deborah), and Katherine Jane Martin (Melvin); his grandchildren Cheryl and Stephan Scappaticci (Susan), Ben Johnson (Kathleen Lordo), Shawna Martin, Chelsea Martin, and David Martin; great-grandchildren Jameson and Isabella Scappaticci, and Aurora Jane Johnson.

David was preceded in death by parents David Justus Johnson and Emily Sundell Johnson, and sisters Grace Hager and Hattie. [Read more…]

Obituary: Mitchell Jerry Davis

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Mitchell Jerry Davis

Mitchell Jerry Davis

Mitchell Jerry Davis, age 57, of Clinton, passed away Tuesday, December 16, at Methodist Medical Center.

He was born April 13, 1957, in Oliver Springs, the son of Charles Perry Davis and Louise Echols Davis.

Mr. Davis was the owner of Davis Dry Wall. He enjoyed spending time with his family and particularly his grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Harold, Clifford, Kenny, Dale, Jack, Ronnie and Dennis and sister, Glenda. [Read more…]

Obituary: Ruth Slusher

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Ruth Slusher passed away Friday, December 5.

She was born in Pineville, Kentucky, in 1925. She was later a resident of Rhea County, where she owned a home on Watts Barr Lake and also in Oak Ridge.

She was predeceased by her father, Otis Violet Slusher, and mother, Nancy Samples Slucher; and sisters, Mary Hale, Rose Montgomery, Sarah Jordan, and Cordelia Shepherd.

She is survived by her husband, Grimes Slaughter, and many nieces and nephews, including special nephew, Mark Jordan of Wilmington, North Carolina. [Read more…]

Obituary: J.D. Campbell

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

J. D. Campbell, age 87, a resident of Oliver Springs, passed away Friday, December 12, at Methodist Medical Center.

Mr. Campbell was born October 18, 1927, in the Wheat Community in Roane County. He lived in Georgia for several years; however, he has lived most of his life in Oliver Springs.

J.D. was retired from the construction business. He enjoyed spending time outdoors and gardening.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph A. Campbell and Lucy Turpin Campbell; by a son, Sammy Campbell; by a daughter, Phyllis Campbell; by a sister, Ruth Rutherford; and by brothers, Calvin, Kenneth, and Clyde Campbell. [Read more…]

Obituary: Jack Stanley Long

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Jack Stanley Long

Jack Stanley Long

Jack Stanley Long, age 80, of Oak Ridge passed away Saturday, December 13, at Maple Court in Powell from complications of dementia.

He was born April 23, 1934, in Knoxville, the son of Ada Brown and Theodore Roosevelt Long. He served his country for two years in the U.S. Army.

Mr. Long retired from Lockheed Martin, where he was a painter at the Y-12 plant for 28 years. He was a member of the International Union Painters Allied Trades (IUPAT), Local #1805.

He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. Mr. Long was a self-taught artist and excelled in drawing portraits in pastels. He also enjoyed building and remodeling his home. He loved the outdoors and spent a lot of his free time fishing, hunting, and flower gardening. [Read more…]

Obituary: Timothy E. Myrick

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Tim Myrick

Tim Myrick

Timothy E. Myrick died peacefully at the age of 60 on Sunday, December 14, 2014, at his home in Powell after a year-and-a-half battle with cancer. An engineer who had worked at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and SAIC, he was well known in Oak Ridge as an award-winning, model community leader and volunteer. Many also called him a teacher and friend.

He and his wife Teresa were honored on April 29, 2014, for their “lifetime of commitment to the people of Oak Ridge and Anderson County.” He was recognized as the only volunteer who helped construct each of the 59 homes built by Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County since its inception in 1992.

At the time, a successful fundraising campaign had been launched to support the construction of a 59th house in Myricks’ honor. The new Honorary Myrick Build is located in Heiskell, not far from the Myricks’ farm, where they had grown Christmas trees that they donated to the American Cancer Society for fundraising and to the Holiday Bureau.

A few weeks ago, Myrick received the Bill Wilcox Bow Tie award from Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties to honor him as “community leader, volunteer, teacher, husband, and friend.” Myrick was on the ADFAC board for 12 years and served as its president for 10. He also helped craft a long-range plan for ADFAC and provided matching funds for a house build. [Read more…]

Obituary: Thomas Stephen ‘T.S.’ Thrasher

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Thomas Stephen "T.S." Thrasher

Thomas Stephen “T.S.” Thrasher

Thomas Stephen “T.S.” Thrasher Jr., age 29, blessed this world on July 5, 1985, and was devastatingly taken from us on December 8, 2014, to share his bright light with his Savior Jesus Christ.

T.S. was dedicated to God as an infant at Fountain City Presbyterian Church in Knoxville. T.S. spent his childhood and the majority of his adult life residing in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

T.S. began developing a strong work ethic at the age of 12, as evidenced by his first job delivering two paper routes at The Oak Ridger.

T.S. was the best brother in the whole world and was especially a champion for his sister Grace. He had a close and unique relationship with each of his brothers and sisters.

T.S. attended Oak Ridge High School and earned his diploma in 2003. He had just completed his final examinations at Pellissippi State University majoring, ironically, in criminal justice. He had completed all scholastic requirements and was to graduate in January 2015 with honors. [Read more…]