Published: 12/17/2010
Died: Dec. 15, 2010
Robert E. Keasling, a retired Greeneville educator, died Wednesday.
His family said he died "peacefully at his home surrounded by his family."
He was 87.
Mr. Keasling was born Jan. 6, 1923, at Bulls Gap and was a son of the late Rufus Noah and Myrtle Keasling.
At age five, he moved with his parents to Cumberland, Ky., where he lived through his high school years, during which mathematics was his major field of study.
In 1942, he graduated third in his class of 50 from Cumberland High School, where he had been a member of the football team, the basketball team, and the marching band.
He also served as the editor of the school newspaper, and was a member of the Beta Club and the National Honor Society.
Mr. Keasling enlisted in the U.S. Army on Feb. 10, 1943. He served in World War II and was a Technical Sergeant in the Headquarters Detachment 492D Port Battalion.
He was awarded the World War II Victory Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, the American Theatre Ribbon, the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, and one Bronze Service Star, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, and the Army Occupation Medal.
Two years of his service were spent overseas on Guadalcanal, the Philippine Islands, and Japan, before he returned home in February 1946.
In August 1946, he enrolled in Tusculum College. He graduated from Tusculum College in June 1949 with a double major in mathematics and economics and a minor in education.
Irene Harrison became his bride on March 26, 1948, in the Reaves Memorial Evangelical United Brethren Church. The Rev. Guy Smith was the officiating minister.
As a member, he served his church in many positions over the years.
He was the last Sunday school superintendent at the Reaves Memorial Evangelical United Brethren Church and the first superintendent in the new Trinity United Methodist Church after The Evangelical United Brethren Church merged with The Methodist Church nationally in 1968 to form The United Methodist Church.
He was the last living member of the building committee that planned and oversaw the construction of the old addition of the presently named Trinity United Methodist Church.
He actively served on a number of committees, and was a member of the Crusaders Sunday School Class.
In August 1949, Mr. Keasling began his teaching career at Greeneville High School, where he taught mathematics and was chairman of the math department for 20 years.
In 1952, he became one of the first students to receive a master's degree from East Tennessee State College, now East Tennessee State University. He was awarded a Master of Arts degree in supervision and administration.
In 1969, he was named principal of EastView Elementary School, the position he held until his retirement in July 1988.
During his career, he was an adjunct faculty member of Greeneville's Vocational School, Tusculum College, East Tennessee State University, and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
His family noted that throughout his teaching career and even in retirement, Mr. Keasling was a devoted advocate of the education of all children and of the Greeneville City School System.
The 1957 Greeneville High School yearbook was dedicated in his honor as was the 1987-1988 EastView Elementary School yearbook.
The Greeneville-Greene County Area Chamber of Commerce designated him Teacher of the Year in 1988.
In the spring of 1988, the EastView parent organization erected an EastView Elementary School sign in his honor on Bernard Avenue.
His family stated that he was very proud to serve as a trustee on the board of the Greeneville City Schools Education Foundation.
In May of this year, he was named Trustee Emeritus at the Education Foundation's annual Character Education Awards Luncheon.
Survivors include his wife: Irene Harrison Keasling; two daughters: Connie Keasling of Murray, Ky., and Tammie Douthat of Greeneville; one son: Robert E. Keasling II of Huntsville, Ala.; and five grandchildren: Christopher Douthat II and Amie Douthat, both of Greeneville, and Robert E. Keasling III, Derek Keasling, and Olivia Keasling, all of Huntsville.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Fred Keasling and Dale A. Keasling, formerly of Akron, Ohio.
The family will receive friends at Trinity United Methodist Church from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
The funeral service will follow at 2 o'clock.
The Rev. David Brannock will officiate.
Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Buck Jones, Dr. Wayne Susong, Dr. Jerry F. Ward, Dr. Ben Hankins, Dale Landers, and Dr. Lyle Ailshie.
Honorary pallbearers will be friends from the Crusaders Sunday School Class at Trinity United Methodist Church and retired and active employees of the Greeneville City School System.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 524 Tusculum Blvd., Greeneville, TN 37745; or to the Greeneville City Schools Education Foundation, c/o Allison Adams, P.O. Box 1420, Greeneville, TN 37744.
Jeffers Funeral & Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences can be sent to the Keasling family at www.jeffersmortuary.com.
Died: Dec. 15, 2010
Robert E. Keasling, a retired Greeneville educator, died Wednesday.
His family said he died "peacefully at his home surrounded by his family."
He was 87.
Mr. Keasling was born Jan. 6, 1923, at Bulls Gap and was a son of the late Rufus Noah and Myrtle Keasling.
At age five, he moved with his parents to Cumberland, Ky., where he lived through his high school years, during which mathematics was his major field of study.
In 1942, he graduated third in his class of 50 from Cumberland High School, where he had been a member of the football team, the basketball team, and the marching band.
He also served as the editor of the school newspaper, and was a member of the Beta Club and the National Honor Society.
Mr. Keasling enlisted in the U.S. Army on Feb. 10, 1943. He served in World War II and was a Technical Sergeant in the Headquarters Detachment 492D Port Battalion.
He was awarded the World War II Victory Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, the American Theatre Ribbon, the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, and one Bronze Service Star, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, and the Army Occupation Medal.
Two years of his service were spent overseas on Guadalcanal, the Philippine Islands, and Japan, before he returned home in February 1946.
In August 1946, he enrolled in Tusculum College. He graduated from Tusculum College in June 1949 with a double major in mathematics and economics and a minor in education.
Irene Harrison became his bride on March 26, 1948, in the Reaves Memorial Evangelical United Brethren Church. The Rev. Guy Smith was the officiating minister.
As a member, he served his church in many positions over the years.
He was the last Sunday school superintendent at the Reaves Memorial Evangelical United Brethren Church and the first superintendent in the new Trinity United Methodist Church after The Evangelical United Brethren Church merged with The Methodist Church nationally in 1968 to form The United Methodist Church.
He was the last living member of the building committee that planned and oversaw the construction of the old addition of the presently named Trinity United Methodist Church.
He actively served on a number of committees, and was a member of the Crusaders Sunday School Class.
In August 1949, Mr. Keasling began his teaching career at Greeneville High School, where he taught mathematics and was chairman of the math department for 20 years.
In 1952, he became one of the first students to receive a master's degree from East Tennessee State College, now East Tennessee State University. He was awarded a Master of Arts degree in supervision and administration.
In 1969, he was named principal of EastView Elementary School, the position he held until his retirement in July 1988.
During his career, he was an adjunct faculty member of Greeneville's Vocational School, Tusculum College, East Tennessee State University, and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
His family noted that throughout his teaching career and even in retirement, Mr. Keasling was a devoted advocate of the education of all children and of the Greeneville City School System.
The 1957 Greeneville High School yearbook was dedicated in his honor as was the 1987-1988 EastView Elementary School yearbook.
The Greeneville-Greene County Area Chamber of Commerce designated him Teacher of the Year in 1988.
In the spring of 1988, the EastView parent organization erected an EastView Elementary School sign in his honor on Bernard Avenue.
His family stated that he was very proud to serve as a trustee on the board of the Greeneville City Schools Education Foundation.
In May of this year, he was named Trustee Emeritus at the Education Foundation's annual Character Education Awards Luncheon.
Survivors include his wife: Irene Harrison Keasling; two daughters: Connie Keasling of Murray, Ky., and Tammie Douthat of Greeneville; one son: Robert E. Keasling II of Huntsville, Ala.; and five grandchildren: Christopher Douthat II and Amie Douthat, both of Greeneville, and Robert E. Keasling III, Derek Keasling, and Olivia Keasling, all of Huntsville.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Fred Keasling and Dale A. Keasling, formerly of Akron, Ohio.
The family will receive friends at Trinity United Methodist Church from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
The funeral service will follow at 2 o'clock.
The Rev. David Brannock will officiate.
Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Buck Jones, Dr. Wayne Susong, Dr. Jerry F. Ward, Dr. Ben Hankins, Dale Landers, and Dr. Lyle Ailshie.
Honorary pallbearers will be friends from the Crusaders Sunday School Class at Trinity United Methodist Church and retired and active employees of the Greeneville City School System.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 524 Tusculum Blvd., Greeneville, TN 37745; or to the Greeneville City Schools Education Foundation, c/o Allison Adams, P.O. Box 1420, Greeneville, TN 37744.
Jeffers Funeral & Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences can be sent to the Keasling family at www.jeffersmortuary.com.
Published: 12/17/2010
Died: Dec. 15, 2010
Robert E. Keasling, a retired Greeneville educator, died Wednesday.
His family said he died "peacefully at his home surrounded by his family."
He was 87.
Mr. Keasling was born Jan. 6, 1923, at Bulls Gap and was a son of the late Rufus Noah and Myrtle Keasling.
At age five, he moved with his parents to Cumberland, Ky., where he lived through his high school years, during which mathematics was his major field of study.
In 1942, he graduated third in his class of 50 from Cumberland High School, where he had been a member of the football team, the basketball team, and the marching band.
He also served as the editor of the school newspaper, and was a member of the Beta Club and the National Honor Society.
Mr. Keasling enlisted in the U.S. Army on Feb. 10, 1943. He served in World War II and was a Technical Sergeant in the Headquarters Detachment 492D Port Battalion.
He was awarded the World War II Victory Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, the American Theatre Ribbon, the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, and one Bronze Service Star, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, and the Army Occupation Medal.
Two years of his service were spent overseas on Guadalcanal, the Philippine Islands, and Japan, before he returned home in February 1946.
In August 1946, he enrolled in Tusculum College. He graduated from Tusculum College in June 1949 with a double major in mathematics and economics and a minor in education.
Irene Harrison became his bride on March 26, 1948, in the Reaves Memorial Evangelical United Brethren Church. The Rev. Guy Smith was the officiating minister.
As a member, he served his church in many positions over the years.
He was the last Sunday school superintendent at the Reaves Memorial Evangelical United Brethren Church and the first superintendent in the new Trinity United Methodist Church after The Evangelical United Brethren Church merged with The Methodist Church nationally in 1968 to form The United Methodist Church.
He was the last living member of the building committee that planned and oversaw the construction of the old addition of the presently named Trinity United Methodist Church.
He actively served on a number of committees, and was a member of the Crusaders Sunday School Class.
In August 1949, Mr. Keasling began his teaching career at Greeneville High School, where he taught mathematics and was chairman of the math department for 20 years.
In 1952, he became one of the first students to receive a master's degree from East Tennessee State College, now East Tennessee State University. He was awarded a Master of Arts degree in supervision and administration.
In 1969, he was named principal of EastView Elementary School, the position he held until his retirement in July 1988.
During his career, he was an adjunct faculty member of Greeneville's Vocational School, Tusculum College, East Tennessee State University, and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
His family noted that throughout his teaching career and even in retirement, Mr. Keasling was a devoted advocate of the education of all children and of the Greeneville City School System.
The 1957 Greeneville High School yearbook was dedicated in his honor as was the 1987-1988 EastView Elementary School yearbook.
The Greeneville-Greene County Area Chamber of Commerce designated him Teacher of the Year in 1988.
In the spring of 1988, the EastView parent organization erected an EastView Elementary School sign in his honor on Bernard Avenue.
His family stated that he was very proud to serve as a trustee on the board of the Greeneville City Schools Education Foundation.
In May of this year, he was named Trustee Emeritus at the Education Foundation's annual Character Education Awards Luncheon.
Survivors include his wife: Irene Harrison Keasling; two daughters: Connie Keasling of Murray, Ky., and Tammie Douthat of Greeneville; one son: Robert E. Keasling II of Huntsville, Ala.; and five grandchildren: Christopher Douthat II and Amie Douthat, both of Greeneville, and Robert E. Keasling III, Derek Keasling, and Olivia Keasling, all of Huntsville.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Fred Keasling and Dale A. Keasling, formerly of Akron, Ohio.
The family will receive friends at Trinity United Methodist Church from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
The funeral service will follow at 2 o'clock.
The Rev. David Brannock will officiate.
Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Buck Jones, Dr. Wayne Susong, Dr. Jerry F. Ward, Dr. Ben Hankins, Dale Landers, and Dr. Lyle Ailshie.
Honorary pallbearers will be friends from the Crusaders Sunday School Class at Trinity United Methodist Church and retired and active employees of the Greeneville City School System.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 524 Tusculum Blvd., Greeneville, TN 37745; or to the Greeneville City Schools Education Foundation, c/o Allison Adams, P.O. Box 1420, Greeneville, TN 37744.
Jeffers Funeral & Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences can be sent to the Keasling family at www.jeffersmortuary.com.
Died: Dec. 15, 2010
Robert E. Keasling, a retired Greeneville educator, died Wednesday.
His family said he died "peacefully at his home surrounded by his family."
He was 87.
Mr. Keasling was born Jan. 6, 1923, at Bulls Gap and was a son of the late Rufus Noah and Myrtle Keasling.
At age five, he moved with his parents to Cumberland, Ky., where he lived through his high school years, during which mathematics was his major field of study.
In 1942, he graduated third in his class of 50 from Cumberland High School, where he had been a member of the football team, the basketball team, and the marching band.
He also served as the editor of the school newspaper, and was a member of the Beta Club and the National Honor Society.
Mr. Keasling enlisted in the U.S. Army on Feb. 10, 1943. He served in World War II and was a Technical Sergeant in the Headquarters Detachment 492D Port Battalion.
He was awarded the World War II Victory Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, the American Theatre Ribbon, the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, and one Bronze Service Star, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, and the Army Occupation Medal.
Two years of his service were spent overseas on Guadalcanal, the Philippine Islands, and Japan, before he returned home in February 1946.
In August 1946, he enrolled in Tusculum College. He graduated from Tusculum College in June 1949 with a double major in mathematics and economics and a minor in education.
Irene Harrison became his bride on March 26, 1948, in the Reaves Memorial Evangelical United Brethren Church. The Rev. Guy Smith was the officiating minister.
As a member, he served his church in many positions over the years.
He was the last Sunday school superintendent at the Reaves Memorial Evangelical United Brethren Church and the first superintendent in the new Trinity United Methodist Church after The Evangelical United Brethren Church merged with The Methodist Church nationally in 1968 to form The United Methodist Church.
He was the last living member of the building committee that planned and oversaw the construction of the old addition of the presently named Trinity United Methodist Church.
He actively served on a number of committees, and was a member of the Crusaders Sunday School Class.
In August 1949, Mr. Keasling began his teaching career at Greeneville High School, where he taught mathematics and was chairman of the math department for 20 years.
In 1952, he became one of the first students to receive a master's degree from East Tennessee State College, now East Tennessee State University. He was awarded a Master of Arts degree in supervision and administration.
In 1969, he was named principal of EastView Elementary School, the position he held until his retirement in July 1988.
During his career, he was an adjunct faculty member of Greeneville's Vocational School, Tusculum College, East Tennessee State University, and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
His family noted that throughout his teaching career and even in retirement, Mr. Keasling was a devoted advocate of the education of all children and of the Greeneville City School System.
The 1957 Greeneville High School yearbook was dedicated in his honor as was the 1987-1988 EastView Elementary School yearbook.
The Greeneville-Greene County Area Chamber of Commerce designated him Teacher of the Year in 1988.
In the spring of 1988, the EastView parent organization erected an EastView Elementary School sign in his honor on Bernard Avenue.
His family stated that he was very proud to serve as a trustee on the board of the Greeneville City Schools Education Foundation.
In May of this year, he was named Trustee Emeritus at the Education Foundation's annual Character Education Awards Luncheon.
Survivors include his wife: Irene Harrison Keasling; two daughters: Connie Keasling of Murray, Ky., and Tammie Douthat of Greeneville; one son: Robert E. Keasling II of Huntsville, Ala.; and five grandchildren: Christopher Douthat II and Amie Douthat, both of Greeneville, and Robert E. Keasling III, Derek Keasling, and Olivia Keasling, all of Huntsville.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Fred Keasling and Dale A. Keasling, formerly of Akron, Ohio.
The family will receive friends at Trinity United Methodist Church from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
The funeral service will follow at 2 o'clock.
The Rev. David Brannock will officiate.
Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Buck Jones, Dr. Wayne Susong, Dr. Jerry F. Ward, Dr. Ben Hankins, Dale Landers, and Dr. Lyle Ailshie.
Honorary pallbearers will be friends from the Crusaders Sunday School Class at Trinity United Methodist Church and retired and active employees of the Greeneville City School System.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 524 Tusculum Blvd., Greeneville, TN 37745; or to the Greeneville City Schools Education Foundation, c/o Allison Adams, P.O. Box 1420, Greeneville, TN 37744.
Jeffers Funeral & Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences can be sent to the Keasling family at www.jeffersmortuary.com.
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