Dr. Nathan Edward Wilson
Dr. Nathan E. Wilson, age 80, of Oak Ridge, expired and went to heaven on July 21 at Methodist Medical Center.
He was born May 5, 1933, in Four Mile, Ky., the son of Edgar and Carrie Wilson. Dr. Wilson retired from his dental practice of over 40 years in Oak Ridge. He was a retired commander in the U.S. Navy.
Dr. Wilson was an avid musician, golfer, bowler, joke teller, Kentucky sports fan, and bacon cheeseburger lover. He also enjoyed and loved his family. [Read more…]
Lillian Virginia Tilley
Lillian Virginia Tilley, age 88, of Oak Ridge, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 3, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
She was born on April 14, 1925, in Stonega, Va. She was first employed with the Stonega Coke and Coal Co. in the payroll department. Lil and her family moved to Oak Ridge in 1954. With the nickname “Busy,” that is indeed how she lived her life. She had many jobs including selling Avon and working as a store clerk at Miller’s Department Store, Proffitt’s, and the Shoe Box, all while dedicating her life to her family. Her passions were her grandchildren, cooking, sewing, gardening, and playing on Watts Bar Lake. [Read more…]
Carl William Gehrs
Dr. Carl William Gehrs, age 72, of Oak Ridge, died Thursday, Aug. 1, at his home.
He was born May 4, 1941, in Elmhurst, Ill., the son of Carl John and Pearl Hitzke Gehrs and grew up in the western suburbs of Chicago: Westmont and Lombard, where his father was a Lutheran teacher. The first 16 years of his education were in Lutheran schools, and it was at Concordia Teacher’s College in River Forest, Ill., that he met his future wife, Judith Diane Hein.
Following graduation, they were married and taught in Chicago. He taught biology and later became dean of students at Luther High School South, where he also helped coach football. They later lived in Kansas and Oklahoma as he continued his education. After receiving his PhD, the family moved to Oak Ridge in 1972. He worked at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory until 1999, retiring as director of the Center for Biotechnology. [Read more…]
Patricia Burris Hair
Patricia Burris Hair, age 79, of Oak Ridge, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 31, at Park West Medical Center in Knoxville.
She is survived by her husband, Carl E. “Eddie” Hair Sr. of Oak Ridge; son, Carl E. “Eddie” Hair Jr., of Oak Ridge; daughter Lisa West and husband Greg of Oneida; sister, Deloris Ann “Snookie” Foster of York, S.C.; and nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Pat was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother, as well as a dedicated servant to our Lord and Savior. She served as church organist at Glenwood Baptist Church in Oak Ridge for more than 25 years and had a passion for music, mission work, and Bible school. She was a beacon of light to anyone around her. [Read more…]
Gary Bumgardner
Gary A. Bumgardner, better known as “Butch,†age 64, of Clinton, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 28.
Butch was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who adored his grandchildren. Butch was a man who lived by his beliefs every day and was the glue that held the family together. His family said any time you needed someone, he was the true confidant you could always count on.
He was a great storyteller and had a wonderful sense of humor, which he used often by pulling pranks. Mr. Bumgardner was a long time educator for the Anderson County school system, where the last three years of his career was spent as the principal of Fairview Elementary, a job he thoroughly enjoyed.
Gary is preceded in death by his mother, Virginia Bumgardner, and brother, Johnny Lynn Bumgardner. [Read more…]
Hazel Thomasine “Tommy” Huffman Foust
Hazel Thomasine “Tommy” Huffman Foust, 82, of Oak Ridge, passed away Friday, July 26, at Methodist Medical Center.
She was born Aug. 25, 1930, in Pulaski, Va., to Robert T. Huffamn and Hazel Winifred Hufford Huffman. She was a homemaker and a member of the Harriman Church of God. She loved music, and was an accomplished soloist. Tommy was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and loved camping and gardening.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband Charles “Frank” Foust, who passed away Tuesday, July 9; son Timothy Foust,; grandson Aaron Foust; and brothers Robert J. and Barry Huffman. [Read more…]
Brownlowe C. Hall, passed away peacefully at home in Madison, Ala., with family and his beloved dog, Maggie.
He and his wife, Nellie, have been active citizens of Madison for more than 40 years.
“Brownie” as he was known by all, retired from Boeing, with 20 plus years of service. In his retirement, he was an avid golfer, bowler, do-it-yourself home improver, and landscaping enthusiast. He had also been a strong supporter of many animal rescue and care organizations. For many years, Brownie was active in the Madison Optimist Club.
Brownie is survived by his wife of 54 years, Nellie; beloved dog, Maggie; and sisters, Bonnie Cagle of Winder, Ga., and Gladys Ford of Clyde, N.C. Other survivors include sister and brothers-in-law and nieces and nephews. [Read more…]
Robert Mote Farnham
Robert M. Farnham, (a.k.a. “R.M.”,”Bob”, and “Red” due to the color of his hair) was born in Harriman on Aug. 15, 1920. He died July 21 at Methodist Memorial Hospital in Oak Ridge.
He graduated from Harriman High School in 1939, and he attended Lincoln Memorial University and the University of Tennessee.
He married Ada Katherine Davis in 1943, and they enjoyed 70 wonderful years together, living mostly here in Oak Ridge. They have enjoyed everyday life, traveling and gardening together.
Bob Farnham was a man of strong faith and a very active member of First Baptist Church for over 50 years, serving as a Sunday School teacher, deacon, Keenagers president, and choir member. He has done extensive volunteer work over the years in various areas of the community.
R.M. Farnham was in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1942-1946, receiving his commission as a Lieutenant from Yale University, and served the Air Transport Command of the Air Corps during the North Africa Campaign of World War II. [Read more…]
Robert S. Butler, age 78, a resident of Oliver Springs, passed away Tuesday, July 23, at his home.
Mr. Butler was born July 19, 1935, in Harriman. He was a lifelong resident of Oliver Springs.
Robert and his late wife, Connie, owned and operated Butler’s Grocery on Poplar Creek. He retired from Y-12 Federal Plant in 1993 as a supervisor. He enjoyed restoring antique tractors.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret “Connie†Butler; by his parents, Charles T. Butler and Alma Irene Thomas Butler; and by a sister, Louise Plemons. [Read more…]
Cynthia “Cindy” Louise Barker
Cynthia “Cindy” Louise Barker, 59, of Oak Ridge, passed away Saturday, July 20, at Methodist Medical Center.
She was born Feb. 1, 1954, in Oak Ridge, the daughter of George “Chuck” Brady Borella and Lena Elna Winslett Borella, who are both deceased.
Cindy retired from BWXT, where she worked at the Y-12 plant.
She was a member of the Women of the Moose and was active with the Anderson County Toy Run. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed fishing and the companionship of her pets. [Read more…]
Terry R. Jones
Terry R. Jones, age 67, of Clinton, passed away on Thursday, July 18, at his residence.
He loved and enjoyed his grandchildren, computers, and auto cad design.
Terry was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Anna B Jones.
Terry is survived by wife, Eva Jones of Clinton; sons, Mickey Jones and wife Sandi of Lenoir City, and Tim Jones and wife Nancy of Hazlet, N.J.; grandchildren, Nathan, Rachael, and Hannah; step-grandchildren, Autumn and Jonathan; and a host of other relatives and friends. [Read more…]
George R. Baker
George R. Baker, age 94, of Clinton, departed this life peacefully on July 20 at Methodist Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family.
A decorated veteran of World War II, Mr. Baker lived a life of exemplary service to his country, his family, and fellow man.
A native of Pineville, Kentucky, he enlisted in the Army and was stationed in the South Pacific for almost four years. During the war, he was awarded several ribbons, citations, and medals, including five Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart for injuries sustained in battle. After the war, he returned home to raise a family with his wife in Harlan, Ky., while working as a superintendent in the coal mining industry.
Mr. Baker proved to be a hero, not only in combat, but in the workplace, when he risked his life, suffering serious personal injury, to save several fellow miners during a tragic explosion in 1977. He was subsequently honored by the governor of Kentucky as a Kentucky Colonel in perpetuity. [Read more…]
