Oak Ridge Today

Obituary: Harold C. Davis

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Harold C. Davis, 92, a resident of Oliver Springs, passed away Tuesday, June 3, 2014, at ParkWest Medical Center, in Knoxville.

Mr. Davis was born December 14, 1921, in Knoxville. He continued to live in Knoxville until his early adulthood. He had lived in Oliver Springs since 1957.

Harold joined the United States Air Force in 1942 at the age of 20. While serving during World War II, he flew 29 combat missions as a waist gunner aboard a B-24 Liberator with the 8th Air Force 67 Squadron, 44th Bomb Group. While serving, he received several medals including the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with four Bronze Stars, Air Medal 8th AF, with three Oak Clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and several other medals, decorations, ribbons, and commendations.

At the age of 90, in Atlanta, Ga., he was awarded the L’egion d’Honneur, which is the equivalent of the French Knighthood, for his role in the Liberation of France.

Harold Davis insisted that he did nothing special, and he has always stated, “There were a lot of others who did the same thing as I did, and God brought me back home.” [Read more…]

Obituary: Roy Joseph Johnson

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Roy Joseph Johnson

Roy Joseph Johnson

Roy Joseph Johnson, age 98, formerly of Oak Ridge, died Monday, June 9, 2014, at his home in Sweetwater, Tenn.

He was born April 26, 1916, in St. Clair County, Alabama, one of seven children born to Thomas William Johnson and Willie Baldwin Johnson.

He was a veteran of World War II, serving with the U.S. Army. He retired from Union Carbide Nuclear Corporation, where he worked at the Y-12 plant as an iron worker.

Mr. Johnson attended Royce Baptist Church. [Read more…]

Obituary: James Keith Lowery

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James Keith Lowery

James Keith Lowery

James Keith Lowery, 90, of Oak Ridge, passed on to his heavenly home early Sunday morning, June 8, 2014.

He was born on June 27, 1923 in Morristown, Tenn., to the late Samuel Franklin Lowery Sr. and Ethel Florence Spears Lowery.

He graduated from Morristown East High School in 1943 and then came to Oak Ridge on December 27, 1943. He worked at K-25 gaseous diffusion plant in analytical chemistry. He also worked on pilot plants in industrial hygiene, in charge of field sampling. He was a recipient of the silver A bomb pin for 18 months of service. He retired in December 1989 after 46 years working at K-25.

On May 27, 1950, he married Helen Lucille Schultz from Talbott, Tenn. They had just celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. [Read more…]

Obituary: Kenneth Edward Jones

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Kenneth Edward Jones

Kenneth Edward Jones

Kenneth Edward Jones, age 59, passed away Saturday, May 31, 2014, at his home surrounded by his family and friends.

Kenny was born July 27, 1954, and he was a lifelong resident of Oliver Springs.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Madge Anita McGlothin Jones, and grandmother, May Sexton McGlothin. [Read more…]

Obituary: Johnnie Jackson Turnbill

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Johnnie Jackson Turnbill, age 81, a resident of Harriman, passed away Friday, May 30, 2014, in Springfield, Missouri.

Mr. Turnbill was born July 7, 1932, in the lower camp of Windrock Mountain. At the age of 18, he moved to Dayton, Ohio, and began his employment with General Motors. He continued his employment in the Delco Production Division of GM until his retirement in 1982.

Following his retirement, he moved back to Tennessee, where he enjoyed renewing old acquaintances, spending time with family, and being outside. [Read more…]

Obituary: Emma Gaye Dixon Huckaby Duncan

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Emma Gaye Dixon Huckaby Duncan

Emma Gaye Dixon Huckaby Duncan

Emma Gaye Dixon Huckaby Duncan, age 75, passed away May 29, 2014, at Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge.

She was born June 30, 1938, in Robbins, Scott County, Tennessee, to Barney Dave and Ollie Griffith Dixon. Emma was preceded in death by her parents Barney Dave and Ollie Griffith Dixon, husbands Clyde Huckaby and Kenneth Duncan, and brother Archie Dave Dixon.

She is survived by two stepsons, Michael and Tom Duncan; six grandchildren; sisters, Alice Faye Dixon Harris, Zola Kay Dixon Kahn, and Vera Ann Dixon Grizzell; and loving nieces and nephews. [Read more…]

Obituary: Gladys York

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Gladys York

Gladys York

Gladys York, age 69, of Speedwell, Tenn., passed away Friday, May 16, 2014, at Tennova Hospital in Lafollette. She was born and raised in New River.

Gladys is preceded in death by her husband, Howard York; mother, Margie Daugherty West; father, James West; and her brother, John Henry West.

Gladys is survived her daughter, Shelia Branscomb of Speedwell; sons, Henry York of Clinton, and Marty (Jaimie) York of Knoxville; sisters, Loretta Cox, Joyce Jarnigan, and Lois Bray all of Clinton; grandchildren, Tristan (Becky) Branscomb, Hollie (Brandon) Collins, Tiara Branscomb, Dustin Pittman, and Ashley York; great-grandchildren, Brandy Branscomb, Zoe Branscomb, Nevaeh Collins, Braylee Collins, Chandler York, and Harper York; and a host of other relatives and friends. [Read more…]

Obituary: George Henry Roberts

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George Henry Roberts

George Henry Roberts

George Henry Roberts, Capt. USAF Retired, age 81, of Powell, formerly of Heiskell, passed away Wednesday, May 14, 2014, in Knoxville.

George spent 22 years, 11 months, and eight days serving in the U.S. Air Force, and he was very proud of his military career, which included time in Vietnam. While in the Air Force, he worked as a nuclear reactor systems tech, radio communications tech, and an electrical systems officer.

During his civilian career, he worked for Millers Department Store in the maintenance department, Modine Manufacturing, and Precision Disc Corporation.

George retired in 1990 to enjoy his combined family, woodworking, engraving, and traveling. He attended Black Oak Baptist Church in Clinton and also made many visits to Second Baptist Church in Clinton. [Read more…]

Obituary: Billy Kay Shope Sr.

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Billy Kay Shope Sr., age 60, of Oak Ridge, passed away on Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at his residence.

Billy was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He loved to fish, and spending time with his grandkids. Billy was of the Baptist faith. He was a hard worker all through his life doing carpentry and concrete work. Billy was a very honest and dependable person.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents, John and Marie Shope; sister, Mary Anne Shope; and several other sisters and brothers. [Read more…]

Obituary: Joy Justice

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Joy Justice

Joy Justice

Joy Justice, age 67, a resident of Oliver Springs, passed away Monday, May 19, 2014, at her home.

Joy was born September 29, 1946, in the Rosedale Community in Anderson County. She lived in Rosedale throughout her childhood, moving to Oliver Springs as a teenager, where she has lived for over 50 years.

Joy retired as a technical writer in February 2014 at EG&G, ORTEC Inc., in Oak Ridge following more than 30 years of employment.

She was a faithful Christian and a member of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church. She was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star, chapter 211, in Oliver Springs.

She enjoyed reading, being active in her Church and the Eastern Star, and most importantly, spoiling her grandchildren. [Read more…]

Obituary: Herman L. ‘Bud’ Bracken

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Herman L. "Bud" Bracken

Herman L. “Bud” Bracken

Herman L. “Bud” Bracken, age 88, a resident of Oak Ridge, passed away, Thursday, May 15, 2014, at the Ben Atchley Tennessee Veterans Home in Knoxville.

Mr. Bracken was born March 26, 1926, in Chimney Rock, N.C. He and his family moved to Oak Ridge in 1943.

“Bud” was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1944 and served his country in World War II. While serving in the Army, on his 19th birthday he boarded a ship headed for the invasion of Okinawa. Three months later, the bomb was dropped, and Japan surrendered.

After his return to the United States, he was again on a ship headed for South Korea. In 1949, he was discharged from the U.S. Army and then he enlisted into the U.S. Air Force and he served for a total of 21 years, six months, and 25 days. While serving, he received several medals, citations, ribbons, and commendations. [Read more…]

Obituary: Ruth Powell Lowe

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Ruth Powell Lowe, age 54, a resident of the Marlow Community in Anderson County, passed away Thursday, May 15, 2014, at her home.

Ruth was born July 22, 1959, in Dayton, Ohio. She moved to Tennessee in 1983.

Before her disability, she was employed as a store manager at several area convenience stores. [Read more…]