Oak Ridge Today

Obituary: John Ward McKeever

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

John Ward McKeever

John Ward McKeever

John Ward McKeever, age 76, of Oak Ridge, died unexpectedly but peacefully in his sleep at home on Tuesday, March 10.

He was born March 30, 1938, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the son of John Leslie and Norma Rymer McKeever, who preceded him in death.

John grew up in Green Bay, where his love of science was awakened by his sixth-grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary School; he always remembered and appreciated that.

His love of music was awakened by his mother who was a piano teacher and taught him until he excelled and needed a more advanced teacher. He learned to play the violin at a young age. Throughout his life, he played with many organizations: the Green Bay Symphonette, the Oak Ridge Community Orchestra, and the Oak Ridge Symphony.  [Read more…]

Obituary: Floyd Teague

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Floyd Teague, age 80, of Lafollette, passed away on Thursday, March 5, at Tennova Turkey Creek Medical Center in Knoxville.

Floyd loved his grandkids and playing cards. He was of the Baptist faith.

Floyd was preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert and Lucy Teague; one brother; and six sisters. [Read more…]

Obituary: Fredric Allen Yoho

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Fredric Allen Yoho, age 75, a resident of Oliver Springs, passed away Monday, March 9, at Methodist Medical Center.

Mr. Yoho was born April 10, 1939, in Detroit, Michigan. He has lived in Oliver Springs for the past 10 years.

He served his country in the United States Army. Before his retirement, he was the owner of a motorcycle repair shop. [Read more…]

Obituary: Randal Clayton Steelman

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Randal Clayton Steelman

Randal Clayton Steelman

Randal Clayton Steelman, age 71, a resident of Oliver Springs, passed away Saturday, March 7, at his home while surrounded by his family.

Mr. Steelman was born October 19, 1943, in the Sunbright community in Morgan County. He and his family moved to Oak Ridge during his childhood. He moved to Oliver Springs in 1994.

Before his retirement in 1991, he was employed in the construction business at J. Daniels Construction Company. His hobbies included outdoor activities.

Randal was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin L. Steelman and Edna Lee Steelman; by a son, Tony Randal Steelman; by brothers, Pete, Jim, Ramey, and Roger Steelman; and by sisters, Zenna Hamby, Jewel Steelman, and Joyce Houston. [Read more…]

Obituary: Phillip Marvin Marcum

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Phillip Marvin Marcum

Phillip Marvin Marcum

Phillip Marvin Marcum, age 77, of Oliver Springs, passed away Saturday, March 7.

He was born February 19, 1938, in Oneida, the son of Francis Marion Marcum and Rachel Ellen West Marcum.

Mr. Marcum served his country in the U.S. Navy. He was of the Baptist faith and grew up in Robertsville Baptist Church. He was a graduate of Oak Ridge High School, Class of 1957. Mr. Marcum was an avid fisherman.

Mr. Marcum was actively employed with the Clinton Utilities Board, where he was an engineer for 25 years. Before joining CUB, he worked 26 years for the City of Oak Ridge as electrical superintendent. [Read more…]

Obituary: Sheila Beatrice Hembree Moore

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Sheila Beatrice Hembree Moore, age 55, went home to heaven peacefully on Sunday, March 1, surrounded by her three children.

Sheila was a Christian and a member of Victory Baptist Church. She worked as a nurse for 36 years, and was very dedicated to her patients. No one could have asked for a better nurse.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Elmer and Lillie Hembree; maternal grandparents, George and Carlettie Mullins; and sister, Teresa Hembree. [Read more…]

Obituary: James Joseph ‘Joey’ Kocak

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

James Joseph "Joey" Kocak

James Joseph “Joey” Kocak

James Joseph “Joey” Kocak, of Oak Ridge, passed away at his home on March 4, 2015.

Born February 4, 1999, in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, the son of Theodore “T.J.” and Mary Kocak, he was the youngest of their four children. A sophomore at Oak Ridge High, he was a good student, musician, and an accomplished athlete. He loved the outdoors and was an excellent fisherman.

Joey was a kind and gentle spirit who enjoyed spending time with those he loved: his family, his girlfriend Mollie, and her family, and friends.

On behalf of our family we would like to thank everyone for their love and support during this difficult time. Joey will be greatly missed, and we ask you to please keep him in your hearts and prayers. Remember him as the caring and kind person he was. [Read more…]

Obituary: Russell Colwell

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Russell Colwell

Russell Colwell

Russell Colwell, age 78, of Rocky Top, Tennessee, passed away on Monday, March 2, at his residence.

Russell was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He loved the Lord and reading his Bible. Russell was always known to put others before himself.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Felix and Maggie Colwell; son, Burtus Colwell; brothers, Iry Dale Colwell (Blackie), and Fred Colwell; sisters, Gladys Feltner, Audrey Irvin Miller, and Gerldean Sizemore Wood; and grandchildren, Mary Jane Colwell, and Candice Colwell. [Read more…]

Obituary: Constance Gwendolyn Cole

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Constance Gwendolyn Cole

Constance Gwendolyn Cole

Constance Gwendolyn Cole, 86, of Oak Ridge, passed away at Canterfield Assisted Living on Saturday, February 28.

She was born to parents James Nichols and Catherine Cutting Nichols on August 6, 1928, in Lunenburg, Vermont.

Growing up in Vermont, she enjoyed snowshoeing and snow skiing, the open fields, horses, and dogs. She learned to fly airplanes in the early ’40s. After moving to Oak Ridge in 1965, she loved spending time in the Smokies. [Read more…]

Obituary: Kenneth Paul Hearn

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Kenneth Paul Hearn, Lieutenant Colonel, USAF (RTD), age 80, of Oak Ridge, passed away Wednesday, March 4, at Methodist Medical Center, following a lengthy illness.

He was born January 9, 1935 in Memphis, Tennessee, the son of Joseph P. and Eunice Rodman Hearn, both of whom are deceased.

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Ann Duncan Hearn; son, Robert and his two daughters, Marissa and Kayleigh of Oak Ridge, and by son Gary and his wife Tracy and their children, Kaitlyn and Matthew of Franklin, Tennessee. His grandchildren have been his shining lights for 22 years. He is also survived by brother, Gerald Hearn of Memphis, and sisters, Joan True and husband J. W. of Conway, Arkansas, and Marylee Turner of Mesa, Arizona; and special friends, Richard and Jean Dew of Gatlinburg, and Linh and Sa Le of Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Larry Kelly, manager of DOE Oak Ridge Office, dies

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Larry Kelly

Larry Kelly

Larry Kelly, manager of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office since July 2012, has died.

“Words cannot describe the sadness we feel with the passing of Larry,” said ORO Deputy Manager Kevin Hall. “The loss of our leader is heavy on our hearts, but it is the loss of a friend that leaves an emptiness that will be difficult to endure. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Rubenia, and daughter, Kristyn. Anyone who spent time with him knew the admiration he had in his wife, and the pride he took in his daughter.

“During his tenure, I was always impressed with Larry’s emphasis on our people and our mission. It was the driving force behind all of his decisions, and it led to a workforce that cared for him very deeply. He made a lasting impact on the Oak Ridge Office and each one of us personally.” [Read more…]

Obituary: Paul Eugene Barndt Jr.

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Paul Eugene Barndt, Jr., age 76, a resident of Oliver Springs passed away, Tuesday, February 17, at Methodist Medical Center.

Mr. Barndt was born October 15, 1938, in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, to the late Paul Eugene Barndt, Sr., and Kathryn Watson Barndt Williams.

At the age of 12, Paul and his family moved to Smethport, Pennsylvania, where he graduated from Smethport High School in 1956. In 1959, Mr. Barndt entered the U.S. Army and served his country until 1962, when he was honorably discharged.

On June 10, 1967, he married his wife of 47 years, Roberta Smith Barndt.  [Read more…]