Zane Whitson Jr. - UNICOI
Zane C. Whitson Jr., age 75, 550 Don Whitson Road, Unicoi, died unexpectedly Tuesday, March 3, 2009, at the Johnson City Medical Center.
Mr. Whitson was born in Banner Elk, North Carolina, grew up in Tipton Hill, North Carolina, Kingsport and Erwin before moving to Unicoi, where he has been a resident since 1943.
He was a son of the late Zane Carroll Whitson Sr. and Carrie Jack Whitson.
Mr. Whitson was a 1950 graduate of Unicoi County High School and attended Mars Hill College, receiving his Associate Degree, then Florida Southern University, receiving his B.S. degree in Physical Education, both on basketball scholarships. He received a Master's Degree in Physical Education from Ole Miss University in 1963 and a Master's Degree in Administration from East Tennessee State University in 1975.
Mr. Whitson began his teaching and coaching career at Washington College Academy, Cocke County High School in 1958 and Unicoi County High School in 1960, where he served in many capacities including teacher, men's head basketball coach and eventually assistant principal until his retirement from Education in 1984.
Mr. Whitson was a twelve term, 5th District State Representative from 1980 until 2004, serving as Chairman of the Finance Ways and Means Committee, former Republican Caucus Leader and was awarded Legislator of the Year.
He formerly served on the Industrial Development Board and from 1986 until 2006 served as the Industrial Recruiter for Unicoi County.
Mr. Whitson had been contracted as a lobbyist since 2005 with Wellmont Health System and Sprint/Embarq.
He was an active member of Unicoi United Methodist Church and the Erwin Kiwanis Club.
Mr. Whitson was a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of the Unicoi Masonic Lodge #681 F&AM, the Watauga Commandery #25 of the Knights Templar, Jericho Shriners Temple Emperial Council A.A.O.N.M.S. of Kingsport #3012.
He was a member of the Parent Teacher Association, Unicoi County Education Association, Tennessee Education Association and the National Education Association.
Mr. Whitson formerly served in the Army Reserves.
He was an extremely avid golfer and a member of Buffalo Valley Golf Course.
Mr. Whitson is survived by his wife of forty-nine years, Diane Whitson; one son, Zane C. Whitson III "Trey," Knoxville; two daughters, Diana Carol Whitson-Thompson and husband, Chris, Unicoi, Jennifer Davis and husband, Bud, St. Augustine, Florida; two brothers, Don Whitson and Jim Whitson, both of Unicoi; two sisters, Jean Lyle and husband, Fred, Tampa, Florida, Pat Kennedy and husband, Bill, Johnson City; ten grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
The funeral service for Mr. Whitson will be conducted Saturday, March 7, 2009, at 2:00 P.M. from the Unicoi County High School Gymnasium. The Reverend Linda Bird Wright will officiate. Special music will be provided by Inez Chandler.
Entombment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Chris Thompson, Jim Barbarito, Jerry Whitt, Harold Rice, Carroll Deaton, Don Whitson, Carl Jones, Tommy Oldermon, Dr. Ronald Wilcox and Ellis Murphy. Honorary pallbearers will be Murrel Hampton, W.A. Wilson, Jim Whitson, Zane Whitson IV, Zachary Thompson, Brock Thompson, Brice Davis, Fred Lyle III, Whit Lyle and Doug Hopson.
The family will receive friends Saturday from 11:00 A.M. until 2:00 P.M. in the U.C.H.S. Gymnasium.
The family requests in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to the Zane Whitson Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Rebecca H. Love, Principal, Unicoi County High School, 700 South Mohawk Drive, Erwin, Tennessee 37650.
Condolences for the family may be sent to [email protected].
Unicoi Funeral Home, 4428 Unicoi Drive, Unicoi, is in charge of the arrangements. 743-1381
Zane C. Whitson Jr., age 75, 550 Don Whitson Road, Unicoi, died unexpectedly Tuesday, March 3, 2009, at the Johnson City Medical Center.
Mr. Whitson was born in Banner Elk, North Carolina, grew up in Tipton Hill, North Carolina, Kingsport and Erwin before moving to Unicoi, where he has been a resident since 1943.
He was a son of the late Zane Carroll Whitson Sr. and Carrie Jack Whitson.
Mr. Whitson was a 1950 graduate of Unicoi County High School and attended Mars Hill College, receiving his Associate Degree, then Florida Southern University, receiving his B.S. degree in Physical Education, both on basketball scholarships. He received a Master's Degree in Physical Education from Ole Miss University in 1963 and a Master's Degree in Administration from East Tennessee State University in 1975.
Mr. Whitson began his teaching and coaching career at Washington College Academy, Cocke County High School in 1958 and Unicoi County High School in 1960, where he served in many capacities including teacher, men's head basketball coach and eventually assistant principal until his retirement from Education in 1984.
Mr. Whitson was a twelve term, 5th District State Representative from 1980 until 2004, serving as Chairman of the Finance Ways and Means Committee, former Republican Caucus Leader and was awarded Legislator of the Year.
He formerly served on the Industrial Development Board and from 1986 until 2006 served as the Industrial Recruiter for Unicoi County.
Mr. Whitson had been contracted as a lobbyist since 2005 with Wellmont Health System and Sprint/Embarq.
He was an active member of Unicoi United Methodist Church and the Erwin Kiwanis Club.
Mr. Whitson was a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of the Unicoi Masonic Lodge #681 F&AM, the Watauga Commandery #25 of the Knights Templar, Jericho Shriners Temple Emperial Council A.A.O.N.M.S. of Kingsport #3012.
He was a member of the Parent Teacher Association, Unicoi County Education Association, Tennessee Education Association and the National Education Association.
Mr. Whitson formerly served in the Army Reserves.
He was an extremely avid golfer and a member of Buffalo Valley Golf Course.
Mr. Whitson is survived by his wife of forty-nine years, Diane Whitson; one son, Zane C. Whitson III "Trey," Knoxville; two daughters, Diana Carol Whitson-Thompson and husband, Chris, Unicoi, Jennifer Davis and husband, Bud, St. Augustine, Florida; two brothers, Don Whitson and Jim Whitson, both of Unicoi; two sisters, Jean Lyle and husband, Fred, Tampa, Florida, Pat Kennedy and husband, Bill, Johnson City; ten grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
The funeral service for Mr. Whitson will be conducted Saturday, March 7, 2009, at 2:00 P.M. from the Unicoi County High School Gymnasium. The Reverend Linda Bird Wright will officiate. Special music will be provided by Inez Chandler.
Entombment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Chris Thompson, Jim Barbarito, Jerry Whitt, Harold Rice, Carroll Deaton, Don Whitson, Carl Jones, Tommy Oldermon, Dr. Ronald Wilcox and Ellis Murphy. Honorary pallbearers will be Murrel Hampton, W.A. Wilson, Jim Whitson, Zane Whitson IV, Zachary Thompson, Brock Thompson, Brice Davis, Fred Lyle III, Whit Lyle and Doug Hopson.
The family will receive friends Saturday from 11:00 A.M. until 2:00 P.M. in the U.C.H.S. Gymnasium.
The family requests in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to the Zane Whitson Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Rebecca H. Love, Principal, Unicoi County High School, 700 South Mohawk Drive, Erwin, Tennessee 37650.
Condolences for the family may be sent to [email protected].
Unicoi Funeral Home, 4428 Unicoi Drive, Unicoi, is in charge of the arrangements. 743-1381
Zane Whitson Jr. - UNICOI
Zane C. Whitson Jr., age 75, 550 Don Whitson Road, Unicoi, died unexpectedly Tuesday, March 3, 2009, at the Johnson City Medical Center.
Mr. Whitson was born in Banner Elk, North Carolina, grew up in Tipton Hill, North Carolina, Kingsport and Erwin before moving to Unicoi, where he has been a resident since 1943.
He was a son of the late Zane Carroll Whitson Sr. and Carrie Jack Whitson.
Mr. Whitson was a 1950 graduate of Unicoi County High School and attended Mars Hill College, receiving his Associate Degree, then Florida Southern University, receiving his B.S. degree in Physical Education, both on basketball scholarships. He received a Master's Degree in Physical Education from Ole Miss University in 1963 and a Master's Degree in Administration from East Tennessee State University in 1975.
Mr. Whitson began his teaching and coaching career at Washington College Academy, Cocke County High School in 1958 and Unicoi County High School in 1960, where he served in many capacities including teacher, men's head basketball coach and eventually assistant principal until his retirement from Education in 1984.
Mr. Whitson was a twelve term, 5th District State Representative from 1980 until 2004, serving as Chairman of the Finance Ways and Means Committee, former Republican Caucus Leader and was awarded Legislator of the Year.
He formerly served on the Industrial Development Board and from 1986 until 2006 served as the Industrial Recruiter for Unicoi County.
Mr. Whitson had been contracted as a lobbyist since 2005 with Wellmont Health System and Sprint/Embarq.
He was an active member of Unicoi United Methodist Church and the Erwin Kiwanis Club.
Mr. Whitson was a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of the Unicoi Masonic Lodge #681 F&AM, the Watauga Commandery #25 of the Knights Templar, Jericho Shriners Temple Emperial Council A.A.O.N.M.S. of Kingsport #3012.
He was a member of the Parent Teacher Association, Unicoi County Education Association, Tennessee Education Association and the National Education Association.
Mr. Whitson formerly served in the Army Reserves.
He was an extremely avid golfer and a member of Buffalo Valley Golf Course.
Mr. Whitson is survived by his wife of forty-nine years, Diane Whitson; one son, Zane C. Whitson III "Trey," Knoxville; two daughters, Diana Carol Whitson-Thompson and husband, Chris, Unicoi, Jennifer Davis and husband, Bud, St. Augustine, Florida; two brothers, Don Whitson and Jim Whitson, both of Unicoi; two sisters, Jean Lyle and husband, Fred, Tampa, Florida, Pat Kennedy and husband, Bill, Johnson City; ten grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
The funeral service for Mr. Whitson will be conducted Saturday, March 7, 2009, at 2:00 P.M. from the Unicoi County High School Gymnasium. The Reverend Linda Bird Wright will officiate. Special music will be provided by Inez Chandler.
Entombment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Chris Thompson, Jim Barbarito, Jerry Whitt, Harold Rice, Carroll Deaton, Don Whitson, Carl Jones, Tommy Oldermon, Dr. Ronald Wilcox and Ellis Murphy. Honorary pallbearers will be Murrel Hampton, W.A. Wilson, Jim Whitson, Zane Whitson IV, Zachary Thompson, Brock Thompson, Brice Davis, Fred Lyle III, Whit Lyle and Doug Hopson.
The family will receive friends Saturday from 11:00 A.M. until 2:00 P.M. in the U.C.H.S. Gymnasium.
The family requests in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to the Zane Whitson Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Rebecca H. Love, Principal, Unicoi County High School, 700 South Mohawk Drive, Erwin, Tennessee 37650.
Condolences for the family may be sent to [email protected].
Unicoi Funeral Home, 4428 Unicoi Drive, Unicoi, is in charge of the arrangements. 743-1381
Zane C. Whitson Jr., age 75, 550 Don Whitson Road, Unicoi, died unexpectedly Tuesday, March 3, 2009, at the Johnson City Medical Center.
Mr. Whitson was born in Banner Elk, North Carolina, grew up in Tipton Hill, North Carolina, Kingsport and Erwin before moving to Unicoi, where he has been a resident since 1943.
He was a son of the late Zane Carroll Whitson Sr. and Carrie Jack Whitson.
Mr. Whitson was a 1950 graduate of Unicoi County High School and attended Mars Hill College, receiving his Associate Degree, then Florida Southern University, receiving his B.S. degree in Physical Education, both on basketball scholarships. He received a Master's Degree in Physical Education from Ole Miss University in 1963 and a Master's Degree in Administration from East Tennessee State University in 1975.
Mr. Whitson began his teaching and coaching career at Washington College Academy, Cocke County High School in 1958 and Unicoi County High School in 1960, where he served in many capacities including teacher, men's head basketball coach and eventually assistant principal until his retirement from Education in 1984.
Mr. Whitson was a twelve term, 5th District State Representative from 1980 until 2004, serving as Chairman of the Finance Ways and Means Committee, former Republican Caucus Leader and was awarded Legislator of the Year.
He formerly served on the Industrial Development Board and from 1986 until 2006 served as the Industrial Recruiter for Unicoi County.
Mr. Whitson had been contracted as a lobbyist since 2005 with Wellmont Health System and Sprint/Embarq.
He was an active member of Unicoi United Methodist Church and the Erwin Kiwanis Club.
Mr. Whitson was a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of the Unicoi Masonic Lodge #681 F&AM, the Watauga Commandery #25 of the Knights Templar, Jericho Shriners Temple Emperial Council A.A.O.N.M.S. of Kingsport #3012.
He was a member of the Parent Teacher Association, Unicoi County Education Association, Tennessee Education Association and the National Education Association.
Mr. Whitson formerly served in the Army Reserves.
He was an extremely avid golfer and a member of Buffalo Valley Golf Course.
Mr. Whitson is survived by his wife of forty-nine years, Diane Whitson; one son, Zane C. Whitson III "Trey," Knoxville; two daughters, Diana Carol Whitson-Thompson and husband, Chris, Unicoi, Jennifer Davis and husband, Bud, St. Augustine, Florida; two brothers, Don Whitson and Jim Whitson, both of Unicoi; two sisters, Jean Lyle and husband, Fred, Tampa, Florida, Pat Kennedy and husband, Bill, Johnson City; ten grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
The funeral service for Mr. Whitson will be conducted Saturday, March 7, 2009, at 2:00 P.M. from the Unicoi County High School Gymnasium. The Reverend Linda Bird Wright will officiate. Special music will be provided by Inez Chandler.
Entombment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Chris Thompson, Jim Barbarito, Jerry Whitt, Harold Rice, Carroll Deaton, Don Whitson, Carl Jones, Tommy Oldermon, Dr. Ronald Wilcox and Ellis Murphy. Honorary pallbearers will be Murrel Hampton, W.A. Wilson, Jim Whitson, Zane Whitson IV, Zachary Thompson, Brock Thompson, Brice Davis, Fred Lyle III, Whit Lyle and Doug Hopson.
The family will receive friends Saturday from 11:00 A.M. until 2:00 P.M. in the U.C.H.S. Gymnasium.
The family requests in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to the Zane Whitson Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Rebecca H. Love, Principal, Unicoi County High School, 700 South Mohawk Drive, Erwin, Tennessee 37650.
Condolences for the family may be sent to [email protected].
Unicoi Funeral Home, 4428 Unicoi Drive, Unicoi, is in charge of the arrangements. 743-1381
Inscription
Former state Rep. Zane Whitson dies
Zane Whitson
By Lesley Hughes
News Editor
[email protected]
Former state Rep. Zane Whitson Jr. died Tuesday, March 3, at Johnson City Medical Center. He was being remembered a tireless public servant by local residents and even the governor.
Whitson was 75, and his funeral services will be handled by Unicoi Funeral Home, but details were incomplete.
The Unicoi resident served for 12 terms as a Republican serving in the state representative since 1978 until 2002.
Gov. Phil Bredesen, a Democrat, noted that Whitson was a man who served his community and state well.
"I was saddened to learn of Rep. Whitson's passing, and offer my deepest sympathy to his family," Bredesen told The Erwin Record. "Rep. Whitson was known as a man who lived life to the fullest. He was a dedicated public servant who knew his constituents and worked tirelessly for his district."
Whitson earned a bachelor's degree from Florida Southern College and master's degrees from the University of Mississippi and East Tennessee State University. Before he was elected, he was a former coach, teacher and assistant principal at Unicoi County High School.
He was Unicoi County's industrial recuiter for more than 20 years. On Capital Hill, he served on the influential Budget Sub-Committee of the House Finance Committee. Some of the accomplishments cited were highways improvements, grants from the state for the county and the towns. sewer line expansion and the construction of infrastructure for industrial development.
He always stressed ties to Unicoi County and making a difference for the people here. During his time in office, he said he was "here to respond to the needs of the people."
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