-JOHN CHRISTIAN 1949 CLASS- February 23, 2001
Dear Alumni and Friends of TMI:
Sadly, John Christian died Thursday night. He was watching a ball game on TV at home and passed away. Kathleen found him there. Funeral services will be held Sunday at 2:00 at Weaver's Cumberland Memorial Chapel in Knoxville, 5815 Western Ave.. Friends will be received Saturday evening from 6-8 p.m. Kathleen home number and address is: 7504 Shaker Dr., Knoxville, TN 37931-1749. Phone is 865-947-9234. Bill, would you mind putting this on the TMI web site. John will be greatly missed.
Bob Gonia
-MARSHALL DURBIN 1949 CLASS- September 18, 2001
Marshall Durbin's funeral will be Wednesday at 2:00. A gathering from 1:00 to
2:00. The John Rideout chapel is in Homewood ( just south of Birmingham )
on Oxmoor road. From downtown Birmingham Red Mountain Expressway would
cross Oxmoor. Two blocks to the right.Phone 205-879-3401. Burial at Elmwood
Cemetery.
The family request donations to his favorite charity. I am sorry but do not
have the name or address. If it in the paper tonight, I will let you know.
Oscar
-DICK GALBOS 1946 CLASS-
Nancy Galbos writes to tell us of the death of Dick Galbos. She said he
died in April of 2000 after a short bout with cancer.
This is a sad year to record the loss of so many of our friends.
Oscar
-GAIL MAYBERRY 1949 CLASS-
Oscar Yelverton reports that Mayberry died in November, 2000
-JIM HOWARD 1953 CLASS-
Bill, I got an email from Linda Howard yesterday saying that after all of
our efforts to find him, Jim Howard '53
passed away suddenly in March 2001. My wife was on "Classmates" looking up
her high school friends and I went to the TMI screen and Jim was the only one
there. Took a while to get a response but after the 2nd inquiry she replied.
He had stage 4 Cancer and lasted about a month. Anyway, would appreciate it
if you would put something on the Web page. I believe they lived in
Bloomington, IN. Thanks and have a good week.
John Wilkins '53
-C.R. STALIONS 1953 CLASS-
Taps for C.R. Stalions
Fellow Alumni;
I am saddened to report the passing of my first cousin and dear friend Charles Ray "Stud" Stalions, Class of 1953, yesterday (Sunday, 8 July 2001) morning at 6:10 CDT. We had talked for years of coming together to a Reunion, but I never got to one with him. He wanted me to let you know he would not be coming this year, but he had enjoyed all the good times he had at the Reunions over the years. We went over his collection of annuals during his last few weeks, and he filled me in on those of you that had graduated before I started to TMI. His five years there were some of the happiest in his memories, and he wanted you to know that.
Reporting sadly, but with happy memories of my own;
Fred D. Faulkner, Class of 1954
811 Janet Street, Versailles, KY 40383
-KEN PARMAN 1950 CLASS-
Sorry to be late in letting you know of Ken Parman's sudden death on
Wednesday, May 20th,2001. He was in Panama City, FL on a vacation/business trip
swimming in shallow ocean water, when suddenly he was lying face down in
water. Efforts to revive him failed. The beaurocractic process delayed
getting the body back to northern Ky until late Sat. May 23. Cemetery in
Georgetown Ky does not allow burials on Sunday or some holidays such as
Memorial day. In all the confusion I contacted many of the family, but
neglected some friends. I had visited with Ken during the wedding festivities
only a couple weeks prior. We had a great visit, and he seemed fine at that
time. Was quite a shock.
Hope all is well with you all.
Bill Powell
-W. M."BILL" TAYLOR, JR. 1949 CLASS-
Date: Friday, November 23, 2001
Dear Mr. Yelverton,
I am writing in response to your letter to my father W.M. (Bill) Taylor
regarding the TMI Reunion.
I am sorry to report my father passed away on April 6, 2001 after a
long bout with cancer.
He spoke fondly of his times at TMI and our family has fond memories of
these times.
I wish you the best for your reunion and am sure my father would have
attended.
Regards,
Minor Taylor
- F. HARRISON LAMONS 1946 CLASS-
Date Monday, February 11, 2002
Passing along information Oscar received from Pete Heck. Harrison Lamons, class of 1946, passed away January 15, 2002.
BOWER, BENJAMIN DENTON - age 63, of the Topside Community, lost a valiant struggle with cancer and passed from this life on Monday, April 29, 2002. Born December 28, 1938, he was proudly a lifelong resident of South Knoxville.
Ben grew up on the family farm, next to Bower Field on Chapman Hwy. He graduated from Tennessee Military Institute and studied engineering at the University of Tennessee before joining his father in the family business, Camel Manufacturing Company, which he became President of in 1975.
- ROBERT EDWARD "BOB" GONIA 1950 CLASS - age 70 of Sevierville, Tenn. died Friday, September 27, 2002 at his home. An Alabama native, Bob went to TMI and
served 5 years in the Army as a 2nd Lt. He attended Vanderbilt
and Samford Universities on football scholorships and then
graduated from Birmingham Southern College. As a United
Methodist Minister, he served churches in Tenn. and Ala., and as
a missionary to Indonesia. He continued his ministry with the
Ecumenical Fellowship and moved over into the public sector
developing aging programs in North Ala. He moved to Tenn. with
TVA in 1979 where he worked in humanities and community
development. Since retiring he has worked as a consultant
nationwide and helped direct leadership programs throughout the
region. Building community has been the work of his life.
Whether on the football field or as the state boxing champion,
visiting the jails or pulling the buggy as cowboy Bob, marching
for civil rights or serving breakfast at his Inn, Bob loved
people and worked hard for connections to occur. Programs
started by Bob continue to grow and receive awards locally and
nationally. Most recently Bob was honored in Huntsville by the
Pathway of Honor, in Sevierville by the Rotary Club. In 1992 he
was awarded the Thousand Points of Light Award by President
George Bush.
GEORGE BIBB PICKETT, JR. 1937 Class - Major General (Ret.) George Bibb Pickett, Jr., 84, died at his Montgomery residence on January 4, 2003. General Pickett is preceded in death by wife, Beryl Robinson Pickett and son George Bibb Pickett, III. He is survived by wife Rachel Copeland Pickett; two daughters, Barbara Pickett of Arlington, VA and Kathleen Pickett Beale of La Feria, TX; two sons, James M. Pickett, Sr. of Montgomery, AL and Thomas H. Pickett of Moultrie, GA; one step-daughter, Melanie Peeples Smith of Oneonta, AL and three step-sons, Paul W. Peeples, Jr. and Van A. Peeples, both of Jackson, MS and Josef C. Peeples of Decatur, AL; five grand-sons; four granddaughters and five great-grandchildren.
General Pickett had a long and distinguished career in the U. S. Army beginning with his graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1941. During WWII, he took part in numerous combat operations including the relief of Bastogne during the Battle of the Budge. During the war, he was appointed as a battalion commander in the 16th Armored Division. During the Korean War, he served as the Armor Officer for IX Corps in Korean from 1950 to 1951. In 1951, he became the first Senior Advisor to the Japanese Military and Naval Academy. From 1961 to 1963, General Pickett commanded the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment. He was the Division Commander of the 2nd Infantry Division from 1966 to 1967. From 1969 to 1971, he served as the Chief, Joint U.S. Military Advisory Group to the Republic of the Philippines. In 1971 until his retirement in 1973, he served as the Deputy Commanding General of Third U.S. Army. In 1999, General Pickett was inducted into the Alabama Military Hall of Honor. General Pickett was active in a number of organizations including the Kiwanis Club, the Sons of the American Revolution, the Sons of Confederate Veterans, The Society of Pioneers of Montgomery and the Old South Historical Society.
The funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 8 at St. John's Episcopal Church with the Rev. Robert C. Wisnewski, Jr. officiating followed by burial at Green-wood Cemetery with full military honors. Honorary Pallbearers are Mr. E. Murfee Gewin, Lt. Col. (Ret.) T. Irby Pope, Judge Charles Thigpen, Mr. Edmon L. Rinehart, Rev. Dr. Albert D. Perkins, III and Mr. John Anderson. Leak-Memory Chapel Directing.
Reported by:
Arthur F. Wilkerson III
TMI, 1959
JAMES RONALD GANT, 52, TMI Class of 1968 passed away in
Owensboro, KY on October 24, 2002.
While I did not know Ron at TMI, I had the opportunity to meet
him via the internet prior to the July, 2000 reunion held at the
Knoxville Hilton. At the reunion, I had the opportunity to meet
Ron in person, and subsequently we enjoyed exchanging TMI "war
stories". Ron loved TMI and devoted time to locating and
contacting former cadets.
Ron Black, Class '59
Dr. F. LARRY GANT, 71, TMI Class of 1949 passed away in Columbia, S.C. on June 7, 2003.
Born in Spartanburg, he was the son of the late Frank E. and Lois Moore Gant. He was a graduate of Wofford College and the Medical University of South Carolina. He served his internship in Internal Medicine at University Hospital in Richmond, Va. and Virginia Commonwealth University and residency in Internal Medicine at University Hospital and Medical College of Virginia where he later served as clinical instructor in Medicine. He was certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in 1965. He practiced Internal Medicine in Spartanburg area hospitals for ten years and at the St. Mary's hospital in Reno, Nev. for six years. Dr. Gant was a member of various medical societies including the Columbia Medical Society. He was active in the South Carolina Medical Association serving on several committees.
Dr. Gant served his Psychiatry residency at West Virginia University Medical Center in Charleston, W.Va. He was employed with the S.C. Department of Mental Health for fifteen years with position at the Piedmont Center for Mental Health Services in Simpsonville and as consultant to the Greenville Detention Center. At the G. Weber Bryan Psychiatric Hospital, he served as staff psychiatrist and medical staff coordinator for quality assurance. He retired as Staff Psychiatrist III with the S.C. State Hospital in 1997.
Dr. Gant was chairman of the Republican Party for a period of time in the 4th Congressional District of S.C.. He was also a member of Riverland Hills Baptist Church.
Surviving are his wife, Janice Hooper Gant, children, Stephen F. Gant of Spartanburg, Sharon G. Glaspey of Charlotte, N.C., Susan G. Christian of Columbia and Eric R. Duncan of Plainville, Ga.; and grandchild Lawson Glaspey of Charlotte.
JOSEPH HAL JENKINS- 58, TMI Class of 1963, died Monday, November 24, 2003, at St. Mary's Hospice after a lengthy illness. He was the son of the late Velma and Aubrey C. Jenkins. A native Knox Countian, he was born July 22, 1945, and grew up on the Jenkins family farm on Luttrell Road.He was educated in the Knox County Schools and graduated in 1963 from Tennessee Military Institute in Sweetwater, where he was president of the senior class and company commander. He attended East Tennessee State University with a major in history and political science, and graduated from Memphis State University with a bachelor's degree in police planning and administration. He later served as director of the Knox County Pre-Trial Release Program and as administrative assistant to Sheriff Ross Sims.He was elected Knox County Sheriff in 1976 and served for six years. During that time, he received numerous awards and honors, including being named Outstanding Young Man of the Year by the Tennessee State Jaycees for his community service.
DR. JOHN W. ELLIS, JR- 74, TMI Class of 1947, passed away on Friday, February 6, 2004. As a young man, he attended Tennessee Military Institute and received a B.S. degree from Carson Newman College. He received a medical degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis, TN. He served as a medical officer with the U.S. Navy in the Pacific, acquiring the rank of Lieutenant, serving from October, 1955 to October, 1957. Returning to Jefferson City, he practiced as a General Practitioner of Medicine in Jefferson County for 40 years, retiring in 1997. He was a longtime supporter and staff physician of Jefferson Memorial Hospital, beginning as one of its original staff members in 1960. He has served on the Board of Trustees of both Carson Newman College and the Tennessee Military Institute. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Jefferson City. His patients regard him as a kind and compassionate doctor, and he is held in high esteem by his peers, being a man who served his community with great integrity and honor. He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Carolyn Quarles Ellis; sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. John W, III and Susan Adams Ellis of Germantown,TN and Dr. Frank S. and Karen Price Ellis of Morristown, TN; 6 grandchildren, sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy Ellis Orr and Lamar Orr. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 10, 2004 at the First Baptist Church of Jefferson City. Interment will follow in Jefferson Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 2 until 4 p.m. and 6 until 8 p.m. Monday, February 9, 2004 at Farrar Funeral Home in Jefferson City. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the First Baptist Church of Jefferson City, 1610 Russell Avenue, Jefferson City, TN 37760; Jefferson Memorial Hospital Foundation, 110 Hospital Drive, Jefferson City, TN 37760; or to the Carson Newman College General Scholarship Fund, 1646 Russell Avenue, Jefferson City, TN 37760.
Arrangements by Farrar Funeral Home in Jefferson City, TN (865) 475-3892.
Note: Joe Farrar is a 1952 TMI graduate.
ROBERT CHEZEM, TMI class of 1961, passed away December 14, 2003. Reported by U. J. Hale.
CHARLES DEWEY MAPLES - TMI class of 1958, age 64, of Seymour, died suddenly on Wednesday, June 2, 2004. He was a member of Valley Grove Baptist Church. Owner of L&M Printing in Maryville and was retired from the Naval Reserves with 22 years of service. Preceded in death by father, W.C. Maples, Sr. of Seymour. He is survived by loving wife of 44 years, Virginia "Ginny" Maples; mother, Wilma Maples; daughters and sons-in-law, Lori and Gordon Wright, Wendy and Scott Barker; son, Steven Maples and companion, Trisha Brady; grandchildren, Lee, Anna, Tucker, and MaKenzie Wright, Baylee Barker; sister and brother-in- law, Gleneva and Carroll
Helton of Irving, Texas; brother and sister-in-law, Conny and Donna Maples of Sulphur, Louisiana; mother-in-law, Viola Lee; 1 niece;several nephews; and special friend and business partner, Clarence Kirkland. Family and friends will meet at Tennessee Veterans Cemetery for an 11:30 memorial service on Monday, June 7, 2004. Full military honors will be provided by the Naval Marine Corp
Reserves of Knoxville and Volunteer State Honor Guard. The family will host a celebration of life reception at Buddy's Barbeque Banquet Room, 5806 Kingston Pike, following the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, Memorial and Honor Program, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105-1942. Arrangements by Berry Funeral Home, Chapman Highway. www.berryfuneralhome.com
DAVID PRESTON COCKRUM - TMI class of 1951, age 71, of Jupiter, FL, passed away Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at his residence in Jupiter. Born in Knoxville, TN, he had been a resident 48 years, coming from Tennessee. Prior to retirement, he was a Vice-President of Sales with Colavo Produce in California. Mr. Cockrum was a 1951 graduate of the Tennessee Military Institute and a veteran of the U. S. Army. The family suggests contributions be made to Hospice of Palm Beach County, Inc., 5300 East Ave., West Palm Beach, FL 33407. A Funeral Service will be held at 10AM, Saturday, July 3, 2004 at the Aycock Funeral Home. Friends are invited to meet with the family from 7-9 PM Friday at the funeral home chapel. Aycock Funeral Home 1112 Military Trail Jupiter, FL 33458 (561) 746-5124
Published in The Palm Beach Post on 7/2/2004.
A list of known deceased cadets from the 1942-1953 classes
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