Tag Archives: death

Local actor Robby Griffith passed away on Friday. He often appeared in plays at Theatre Knoxville Downtown and in Tennessee Stage Company’s Shakespeare on the Square. Robby also worked at Lawson McGhee Library and occasionally as an English teacher at Pellissippi … Continue reading →

“How were your holidays?” I’ve heard the question many times in the past week now that people are returning to their normal routines. I want to give an honest answer without completely ruining the mood. I generally respond, “We had … Continue reading →

Here are the remarks I delivered before the final commendation at my mother-in-law’s funeral today: Good morning and merry Christmas! Mary was a great mother and a great mother-in-law. There are countless examples but you only have to look to … Continue reading →

On Friday morning, my wife and her sisters gathered at the funeral home to make the arrangements for their mother’s wake and burial. I went along, as did another sister’s husband. Two of the women had been through the process … Continue reading →

Family members had started gathering for Christmas dinner when the call came from one of my brothers-in-law that our mother-in-law had passed away. He was at the nursing home with his wife and my wife. Although we all knew the … Continue reading →

The past two weeks have been a lesson in life and death for my family. My wife’s mother was in declining health. She died on Christmas Day, one week after her 90th birthday. The family had planned to gather prior to Christmas … Continue reading →

Leeann Samples’ birthday would have been on Wednesday. Her husband Don created a Facebook event called Leeann Samples Flu Shot Day. Here’s Don’s explanation: On January 2nd of this year, my healthy, beautiful wife entered the hospital and was admitted … Continue reading →

Radio personality Jaan McCoy died while he was at work on Saturday. He was found in the studio at Westwood One in Dallas. His weekend show was carried on Classic Hits stations around the country, including WNOX.

Jaan McCoy on Classic Hits 93.1 WNOX Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

A lengthy article in Oxford American about the Body Ranch at Texas State University in San Marcos pointed out a huge difference between it and the Body Farm in Knoxville. The identity of one of the donors was revealed in a … Continue reading →

Aunt Grace Hatton sent an email to relatives and friends this week. She informed us that her grandson Conor would be one of the family members reading the names of 9/11 victims at Ground Zero. Aunt Grace’s eldest son, my … Continue reading →

The Diocese of Knoxville unveiled its plans for a new cathedral on Sunday. Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish hosted a picnic on the lawn and parking lot where the new cathedral will be built. Different tents housed artists’ renderings of the … Continue reading →

The Providence High School magazine had some sad news that my wife and I had somehow missed. While reading the In Memoriam section, we learned that our friend Michael Hastings lost his father to cancer. Michael was mayor of Burbank when … Continue reading →

“Hello Frank? This is Don Pardo calling.” I was thrilled but confused. The man with the famous voice said he was returning my call. We soon figured out that a pink phone-message slip intended for Bill Wendell had been placed … Continue reading →

Forensic pathologist Dr. Judy Melinek said something on NPR that resonated with me. The author of Working Stiff: Two Years, 262 Bodies, And The Making Of A Medical Examiner was being interviewed on Sunday’s All Things Considered. The more you … Continue reading →