Class Notes

I have recently retired, and my dog and I will be using my little travel trailer as home when we are in the Adirondacks in the summers and someplace warmer in the winters! We hope to be near Maryville most of those cooler months!

Carol Anne (Paris) Bridge, of Baton Rouge, LA, passed away Monday, August 2, 2021, after a battle with cancer. Born on May 31, 1955, in Owensboro, KY, she was a graduate of Owensboro High School (1973) and Maryville College, in Maryville, TN (1977). Carol worked for many years for LCR Corporation before her retirement. She had a love for her family, going to the beach, traveling to the Smokey Mountains, and a passion for helping others. In addition, she was an accomplished pianist and played at her church for many years. Carol was preceded in death by her father, Dr. Gus Paris of Owensboro, KY. She is survived by her mother Elizabeth Paris of Frisco, TX (formerly Owensboro, KY), two sons, Justin Bridge of Austin, TX and Jonathan Bridge of New York City, NY, two sisters and a brother, Jane (Rod) Cable of De Soto, MO, Mary Simmons of Wilmington, NC, and John (Delynn) Paris of Frisco, TX, and several nieces and nephews. The family will have a private memorial service in Frisco, TX on Friday, August 6. There will be no visitation. The family requests that expressions of sympathy be given in the form of donations to the Dr. Gus E. Paris scholarship fund at Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, KY or to the American Cancer Society.

Janice West Christman of Knoxville was taken to her higher power on October 1, 2019 by a Choir of Angels. Born in Maryville to Vaughn and Agnes West, she graduated from Lanier High School, Maryville College, and the UT. She retired from the Y-12 National Security Complex after 33 years of dedicated service as the Deputy Director of Quality. She is preceded in death by her father Vaughn, sister Kathy, and daughter Misty. She is survived by her husband Tom, ever-loving companion Bella (where's Eddie?), daughter Michelle, mother Agnes, brothers Eddie and Tim (Glenda), sisters Rhonda and Tracy, grandchildren Evan and Ruby, and several nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held Monday, October 7th at Rothschild's, 8807 Kingston Pike from 5-7pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Shangri-La Therapeutic Academy of Riding (STAR), 11800 Hwy 11E, Lenoir City, TN 37772. Funeral arrangements by Dogwood Cremation.

Chester “Chet” Earl Dukes, III, 67 of Gainesville, passed away on October 24, 2022.

Chet graduated from Gainesville High School and attended Maryville College, in Maryville Tennessee.  Chet was a member of Crossroads Church of the Nazarene, Cumming, Georgia.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Chester “Earl” Dukes, Jr. and Louise Sims Dukes, brother, Walter Faust Durden.

He is survived by his brother and sisters, Melissa (Matt) Pacifico, of Maryville, TN, David (Phyllis) Dukes of Maryville, TN, Stacy (Johnny), of Flowery Branch. He leaves behind nephews and nieces, Michael (Colby) Pacifico, of Maryville, TN, Stephen (Lindsey) Pacifico, of Maryville, TN, Fletcher Dukes, Knoxville, TN, Andy Dukes, of San Antonio, TX, Jonathan (Amanda) Smith, of Gainesville, Shelley (Justin) Dunagan, of Clermont, Michelle (Chris) Large, of Oak Ridge, TN, Matthew (Amanda) Niethammer, of Knoxville, TN, Meredith (Josh) Buckner, of Knoxville, TN, many great nieces and great nephews along with other family.

Michael L. (Mike) Dykes, 63 of Lake Blackshear, GA died February 11, 2017 at Crisp Regional Medical Center. Funeral services were held Thursday February 16, 2017 at 1:00 PM at The First United Methodist Church in Albany, GA. Rev. Thad Haygood and Rev. Atkinson Dorsey officiating. Graveside Committal services held at Kennesaw Memorial Park Cemetery in Marietta, GA. with Dr. Dave Mayo officiating. A native of Marietta, GA, born to the late William E. Dykes, Sr. and Rebecca Jane Webster Dykes, Mike grew up in Marietta and graduated from Marietta High School in 1971. He received a football scholarship from Maryville College where he also played baseball and tennis. After graduating from Maryville College, Mike moved to Albany, GA where he was employed with Bob’s Candies. Mike was also the former owner and operator of Henry’s Fine Edibles and was an associate with AFLAC. He was a member of The First United Methodist Church of Albany and the Sunday Supper Band. Mike had a large, selfless, and generous heart and was beloved by both friends and family. Mike had many passions and interests, with love of family and music chief among them. Music and sharing it with the various communities that he loved was a central part of his life. He expressed himself best with the beautiful music that he created and this piece of him will continue to live through his sons. Survivors include his three sons, Mackey Dykes and his wife, Katie of West Hartford, CT, Bill Dykes of Albany, GA and Mark Dykes of Atlanta, GA, a brother, Bill Dykes and his wife, Meredith of Marietta, GA and two grandchildren, Wilhelmina (Willa Bee) Dykes and Emmett Dykes. Those desiring may make contributions in Mike’s memory to Sunday Evening With Our Neighbors (SEWN) c/o The First United Methodist Church, 307 Flint Ave., Albany, GA, 31701.

writes in to share greetings from the Mile High City, home for the last 24 years. His current status is happily retired and happily into grandfatherhood x3. An admiring salute with great pride to MC on it's Bicentennial.

James William Gonos, born on July 13th, 1955 in Hialeah, FL, passed away on August 11th, 2023. He was a devoted father, grandfather, and friend. Jim excelled in marching band and shared his father’s passion for the space race. After graduating from Titusville High in 1973 and Maryville College in 1977, Jim embarked on a journey of exploration, working for various companies, including the United States Department of Energy.

In 1982, Jim met and married Teresa. Their children, Emily Claudia and Christopher James, became the center of Jim’s universe. Relocating to Aurora, Colorado in 1995, Jim became an avid Colorado Rockies baseball fan, creating cherished memories at Coors Field with his family. Despite health challenges, Jim’s love and support for his children remained unwavering.

Jim’s role as “Pop Pop” began in 2006 with the birth of his first grandchild, Sophie Lynn, followed by Zachary Aaron in 2007, and Aria Jaymes in 2018. Their presence brought light and renewed purpose to Jim’s life. Although health setbacks occurred, Jim fought with unwavering strength. In May 2023, a broken leg revealed that his transplanted kidney had failed after 14 years. With immense courage, Jim faced his final challenge, leaving behind a legacy of love, dedication, and cherished memories with his children and grandchildren.

James William Gonos will forever be remembered as a loving father, doting grandfather, and a source of strength and support to those he held dear. His memory will live on in the hearts of his family and friends, as they recall his unwavering love, his passion for space exploration, and the joy he found in the simple moments shared together. May his soul find eternal peace as he joins the stars that inspired him.

have returned to the United States after spending 2 years as an administrator and volunteer working for HOPE worldwide at the Sihanouk Hospital Center of HOPE in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Keith and Lisa are now living atop a mountain in Sylva, North Carolina. Keith will continue to work for the Health and Social Services Division of HOPE worldwide; Lisa will enjoy the peace and serenity of mountain living.

Tallahassee – Timothy Albert Kelly, 66, of Tallahassee, Florida passed away on February 5th, 2022 unexpectedly in Helena, Montana. He left us in the same spirit of joy and exuberance he exemplified through life – doing what he loved, enjoying the outdoors, and in the company of friends.

Tim was born on August 8, 1955 to Albert Kelly and Vera Jean Kelly (Heski) in Miami, Florida. He attended Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, and later Maryville College in Tennessee, playing cornerback for the football team. Tim moved to Tallahassee in 1980, where he planned to pursue an MBA while working for the U.S. Postal Service. Instead, he fell in love, married his wife Linda, had two children – twins Tony and Stephanie, and continued in his postal career, delivering mail to the same route for 30 years. His effervescent spirit was cherished by his countless customers and the community he served, who turned out en masse to celebrate his retirement in 2016.

After his retirement, Tim spent several summers working in Yellowstone National Park as the beloved doorman of the Old Faithful Inn, reliving a fond experience from his college days. In this and on his cherished hikes, he brought joy and humor to every encounter, despite greeting up to 10,000 guests on a typical day. Compassionate, warm, exceedingly generous, and with a larger-than-life energy, Tim lived in constant service to others. His vibrant, magnanimous spirit will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all the lives he touched in even the briefest interactions.

Tim is survived by his children Tony Kelly (wife, Halley) and Stephanie Clark (husband, Miles Clark), their mother Linda Kelly, his brother Paul Kelly (wife, Marilyn), and his newly born grandchild, Beckham Kelly, as well as nephews and nieces, cousins, and many devoted friends. He is also survived by his Yellowstone family, his teammates and classmates from Maryville College, and the community of customers he faithfully served on his mail route over the years.

Meredith L. (Leach) Knight, Arlington, MA. On October 31st, 2021, just days short of turning 66, Meredith Knight née Leach, passed away. Meredith was born in Natick, MA to Anthony Leach and Nancy Middleton on November 4, 1955. Meredith lost her mother at a very young age, but adored her stepmother Helen, until she, too, passed away in 2015. Meredith is survived by her father, Anthony Leach of Orleans, MA. Meredith had suffered for many years with metastatic thyroid cancer. She bore it courageously and with fortitude. She received excellent care from the medical teams at Mt. Auburn and Massachusetts General Hospitals and truly cherished everyone on these teams.

Robert E. Layman passed away May 27, 2021.

retired from government service in December 2012. She looking around for what’s next which will probably include a move to Wester North Carolina where my mother, Joy Corrigan McGill (class of ’40) is residing.

As my mother, Joy Corrigan McGill (class of ’40), was going in to a local assisted living center, I moved to Brevard in May. It is a college town but there is a difference between Evanston, Illinois and Brevard, North Carolina. But I guess I am adjusting. I still have a garage full of books I have yet to find shelf space for.

Gary E. Mowl of Knoxville, passed away on May 11, 2019.

Lee Nesbitt Taylor, 65, passed away unexpectedly early Saturday, April 4, 2020 in his home in Longwood, FL. Lee was born in Amsterdam, New York, February 27, 1955 to Manning Taylor and Nancy Nesbitt Taylor. His family settled in Cocoa Beach, Florida for the remainder of his school years. He was a graduate and football star at Cocoa Beach High School from 1970-1973, earning the honor of team captain and MVP in his senior year. Lee earned a scholarship to Maryville College, attended from 1973-1977. His football stardom continued as a defensive lineman – one of the Fighting Scots greatest football careers. Lee was inducted into the Maryville Scots Wall of Fame in 2012 as one of its all-time strongest leaders and defensive linemen. From 1977 on, Lee had a lucrative career in business and sales in the Orlando area for the remainder of his life. Lee was loved and respected by so many in his small, close community of Longwood for over 25 years where he raised his family. He eagerly shared his tenacious love of people and of life itself. Lee is survived by his wife Inna Taylor, his children Clay, Courtney, Lindsey, Jeff, and Egor, his brothers Mickey and Coleman, and sister Nancy, and five grandchildren Austin, Hunter, Jake, Ella, and Simon. A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Diabetes Association at https://diabetes.org/donate or 4Ocean beach clean up initiative at 4Ocean.com/about in honor of Lee.