in Memoriam
Tennessee Section Silent Keys

updated:
28 April 2008
 

Please send notice of any silent keys in your area to: sk@tnarrl.org
Include as much detail as you would like.  If possible, include a copy of the obituary or a link to the online source.  Thank you.
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W4RNL - Cebik, L.B. -
(8 Aug 1939 - 23 Apr 2008):  Age 68, of Powell, passed away, suddenly April 23, 2008.  Preceded in death by his wife, Jean and parents, James and Ella Cebik.  Survived by brothers and sisters in law, Jim and Nancy, Ron and Ruth Cebik of Connecticut; sisters in law, Betsy Andes of Michigan, Joan Robeson of Knoxville and Teresa Brooks of Cookeville. 

L.B. was reserved and precise in everything he did.  He graduated with a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska in Philosophy; M.A. from the University of Nebraska in Philosophy; a double B.A. from Texas Technological College in English and Philosophy and a Associates degree from Howard County Junior College.  He later retired as Professor Emeritus of Philosophy after 26 years at UT, Knoxville. 

He was a life member of ARRL and a technical editor for antennaX Magazine.  The Amateur Radio community knew him as “The Antenna Guru.”  He was probably the most widely published and often read author of Amateur Radio antenna articles ever to write on the subject.  It has been said of him that he communicated with a gentle scholarly attitude and a real eye for detail in assisting others with their antenna matters.  He will be sadly missed by all. 

One of his passions was continuing education, which will be carried on after his death with scholarships.  Family and friends will gather, 1:00 p.m., Sunday, Mynatt Funeral Home Chapel, Fountain City and share their memories.  The family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m., Sunday, Mynatt Funeral Home Fountain City.  www.mynattfh.com
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KA4MNH - Poyner, Robert Toy - (1927 - 10 Apr 2008):  Mr. Poyner was an Extra class amateur radio operator in Bradford, Gibson County, Tennessee.
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W4UAW - Williams, Herman Alexander - (29 Dec 1920 - 9 Apr 2008):  Funeral services for Herman Alexander Williams, 87, were held at 1:00 PM Saturday, April 12, 2008 at the West Jackson Baptist Church with Dr. Wendal Lang and Rev. Lonnie Sanders officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Highland Memorial Gardens.

Mr. Williams died on Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at his residence. Arrington Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements.

Herman was born in Gibson, Co. TN on December 29, 1920, the son of the late Tyva Alexander and Bessie Loveta Smail Williams. He was married for 63 years to Janie Marie Barber Williams who preceded him in death on November 8, 2006. He was a World War II veteran serving in Company "A" of the 339th Infantry. He was a member of the Polar Bear Association of World War II, an organization of members of the 339th Infantry Regimental Combat Team who served in Italy from March 14, 1944 to August 16, 1945 as a unit of the 85th Infantry Division, U.S. Fifth Army. He was awarded the Bronze Star for bravery under fire. He retired from the Tennessee Army National Guard as a Master Sergeant Retention Specialist and Army Career Counselor.

He was a Board member for The Guiding Hands for the Blind, Inc for many years, a reading service for the blind. He was a member of the Jackson-Old Hickory Lions Club, serving in many administrative capacities including the presidency. He retired in April of 1989 as an engineer for WLJT-TV State Education Television. He had also worked as a radio and TV engineer for WDXI radio and TV for many years prior to working for WLJT-TV. He was a Ham radio operator for more that 60 years; W4UAW was known to ham operators around the state and the world. He was an avid golfer at the Hidden Valley Golf Club. He was a member of West Jackson Baptist Church for more that 50 years and was a life deacon.

Herman was a loving father and grandfather to children; Mickey A. Williams of Reston, Virginia; Cindy Williams Greeson and husband Fred Greeson of Chattanooga, TN and Sara Elizabeth Williams, granddaughter of Arlington, TX. His living siblings include a sister, Thelma Tucker of Trenton, TN and two brothers, James Williams of Memphis and Bill Williams and wife Bess of Monroe, Louisiana.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Raymond Williams and a sister, Alice Pearl Williams.

Pallbearers to serve w[ere] Emmet Dodd, Andrew Dodd, Fred Greeson, Bob Blackmon, Ray Moody and E. Dale Jamison, Jr.

Honorary pallbearers to serve w[ere] the deacons of West Jackson Baptist Church and are requested to sit together as a group.

The family has requested that memorial contributions be directed to Hospice of West Tennessee, 1804 Highway By-Pass, Jackson, TN 38305.
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W4ABB - Britton, Col. Albert B. (A.B.) - (1919 - 01 Feb 2008): A.B. retired from the U.S. Army and the Federal Aviation Administration.  He was a member and a Deacon of Madison Avenue Baptist Church, and a member of Gideon's International.
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WA4GLS - Keaton, O.D. - (24 Jan 1924 - 05 Dec 2007): O.D. received a B.A. Degree in Chemistry from Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee in 1950 and an M.S. Degree in Chemistry from Vanderbilt University in Nashville in 1959.  He retired from the Water Quality Division of the State of Tennessee in 1980 after 29 years of service. 

O.D. was first licensed in 1962 as WN4GLS, upgraded to General Class nine months later, then finally to Advanced Class.  In 1962 he joined the ARRL and was a Life Member.  He served as ARRL Section Communications Manager for the Tennessee Section from 1972 to 1980; then as Section Manager from 1992 to 2002.  O.D. was a fine man and a true ambassador for amateur radio.  He will be missed.
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AC4PC - Thrasher, Dennis E. (1954 - 03 Dec 2007):  Dennis was a longtime, enthusiastic amateur radio operator in middle Tennessee.  He will be missed by his many friends and family.
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K4RL - Plunkett, Robert L. (Bob) (1930 - Nov 2007):  Bob (ex. WA4FWH) was an active amateur radio operator and elmer in Giles County, Tennessee.
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W4HI - Oswald, Robert L. (Bob) (1906 - 20 Nov 2007):  Bob retired from Oak Ridge in 1972.  He was one of the oldest amateur radio operators in the United States when he passed away at age 101.  Bob was a Life Honorary Member of The East Tennessee DX Association.
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K4KP - Van Hooser, Haskell (Hack) (1915 - Nov 2007):  Hack (ex W4DIJ) was a CW operator extraordinaire and was an elmer to hundreds of hams.
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W4NGK - Lee, Thurston L. (23 Sep 1916 - 30 Oct 2007):  Mr. Lee was a retired Major who served with the US Army during WWII and the Korean Conflict. He was a Senior Parachutist with numerous awards and decorations including the Bronze Star and Air Medal. He was also a retired teacher with the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System. Mr. Lee was a member of Madison Street United Methodist Church, an avid member of the Tennessee Ornithological Society, Austin Peay History Club, Epsilon Pi Tau Honor Society of APSU, Audubon Society, National Amateur Radio Club, Retired Officers' Club, Friends of Dunbar Cave and the Republican Party.
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KG4FZR - Fridley, John David ( ____ - 9 Feb 2006) 50, of Niota, went home to be with his Lord, Jesus Christ, on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2006, while working in Thomasville, NC.

A native of Madisonville, he was a son of the late Johnie Wesley Fridley. A member of Fairview Baptist Church in Athens, he graduated form the Tennessee Institute of Electronics and was past president and life member of the McMinn County Amateur Radio Club. His FCC call sign was KG4FZR. He was a caring and loving person, greatly devoted to his Lord, his family and his church, and he, along with his wife and son, owned and operated Business Cell Systems and AAA Tower in Athens, TN.

Survivors include his loving wife, Rita Ball Fridley of Niota (KI4MJR); one son, John Fridley of Niota (KF4PVQ); his mother, Minnie Raper Addison of Sweetwater; one sister and brother-in-law, Anjie and Gerald White of Madisonville; one brother and sister-in-law James and Joyce Fridley of Sweetwater; and many other loving relatives.

David's services were held at Fairview Baptist Church in Athens with Dr. Jack Scallions, Evangelist Tim Vermaas, and Rev. Scott Duckworth officiating. His burial was at McMinn Memory Gardens.

David was an ARRL Technical Specialist, a SERA Assistant Coordinator, owned 2- 2 meter repeaters, and maintained equipment and provided tower space for several other repeaters in McMinn and Monroe Counties. His dedications to both the McMinn County and Monroe County Amateur Radio groups saved them many dollars in maintenance, installation, and rental costs.

David will be greatly missed by his friends and family.

Visit  www.mcminnarc.com/kg4fzr/kg4fzr.html  for photos of David with his family and amateur radio friends of the McMinn Amateur Radio Club.
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W4OVG - Boyd, Robert B. "Bob" ( ____ - 10 Nov 2005) 89, of Athens, died Thursday morning, Nov. 10, 2005, at Athens Regional Medical Center. A son of the late William R. and Sally Pace Boyd, he was a native of Covington, TN, and a former resident of Chattanooga and the Washington DC area. He was a member of Sweetwater First Presbyterian Church, and was a former employee with the TVA and had served on the Federal Power Commission. He is preceded in death by his wife, Bobbie Smith Boyd.

Survivors include one son, Robert C. "Buzz" Boyd of Fayetteville, Ga; one granddaughter, Kim Von Drehle; one grandson, R. David Boyd; 6 great-grandchildren; and two sisters and one brother-in-law, Mary Will and James Mays of Mechanicsville, Va., and Doris Boyd of Memphis.
Bob was a member of the MCARC when it was in it's infancy, known then as the Athens Area Amateur Radio Club. Bob was instrumental in helping the club grow to what it is today. He was an avid experimenter, and worked digital modes using Commodore computer equipment, building many of the interfaces and other equipment he needed.

Upon his death, Bob's family donated his entire amateur radio estate to the MCARC. Many members now use equipment that Bob had, and other items were sold and the funds used to further the mission of the club. One item, a Speed-X bug, was used by the Trophy House to make a MCARC Silent Keys plaque, and the bug is affixed to the plaque, along with the names and call signs of the MCARC members who are now silent keys. This plaque is installed in the MCARC Communications Trailer for the public to see when the trailer is deployed, and to remind our members of the gifts and sacrifices made by our silent key members.

In the MCARC Club Shack at Athens City Hall, Bob's WAC (Worked All Continents) award is displayed on the wall to honor one of his early accomplishments as an amateur radio operator. We thank Bob and his family for their contributions to the MCARC!

Visit  www.mcminnarc.com/w4ovg/w4ovg.html  for a photo of Bob.
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WZ4V (N4NLM) - Ritchie, Cecil Houston ( ____ - 14 Sep 2005) 64, WZ4V ex N4NLM, of Sweetwater, died Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 14, 2005, at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville.

A native of McMinn County, he was a son of the late Merle Houston and Hazel Moser Ritchie. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Niota and Meridian Sun Lodge No. 50 F&AM. He had been associated with Roberts Brother Motors for the past 38 years, as the parts manager and warranty administrator, and was an avid ham radio operator. He was vice-president of the Monroe Amateur Radio Society and also a member of the McMinn County Amateur Radio Club, Inc. He had served in the Tennessee National Guard.

Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Linda Shope Ritchie of Sweetwater; four daughters and sons-in-law, Pam and Mark Clinton and Crystal and Jimmy Hinkle, all of Athens, Amy and Homer Roberts of Englewood, and Lori and Doug Ruhstaller of Sweetwater; one son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Whitney Ritchie of Sweetwater; 10 grandchildren; one sister, Jodie Ritchie of Athens; and one brother, Darrell Ritchie of Madisonville.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday in the chapel of Jerry Smith Funeral Home with the Rev. Scott Duckworth officiating. Burial will follow in the Big Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. A Masonic service by Meridian Sun Lodge No. 50 F&AM will be 7:45 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be local Amateur Radio Operators. Honorary pallbearers will be co-workers at Roberts Brother Motors.

The body will be in state at the funeral home after 2 p.m. Friday, where the family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m.

Jerry Smith Funeral Home of Athens, TN is serving the family of Cecil Houston Ritchie.

Visit  www.mcminnarc.com/wz4v/wz4v.html  for a several photos of Cecil with his family and amateur radio friends of the McMinn Amateur Radio Club.
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KE4GVB - Abrams, Harold L. (1928 - 29 Apr 2005):  Harold was an vid amateur operator in Shelby County, Tennessee.
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WA4NTI - Thompson, Olie E. Jr. ():  Olie was from Tullahoma, Coffee County, Tennessee.
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KC8JA - Taylor, William L. ():  William (ex WD4IRL) was living in Loudon, Tennessee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please send notice of any silent keys in your area to: sk@tnarrl.org
.
Include as much detail as you would like.  If possible, include
a copy of the obituary or a link to the online source.  Thanks.

 

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