John Ray Partin

John Ray Partin, age 98 of Powell, Tennessee, passed away Saturday, June 11, 2022, at Elmcroft/American House of Halls. Up until just a few months ago he was a member of Tennova fitness center where he enjoyed water aerobics. He was a member, deacon, Sunday school teacher and Bible study teacher at Pentecost Baptist Church (Oneida, TN) until his move to Knoxville, TN in 1973. He became a member of Glenwood Baptist Church. John Ray Partin was born January 6, 1924, in the Watch community, Corbin, KY.

Accepted Christ as his Savior at age 13 and attended Lynn Camp Baptist Church. At age 17 he joined CCC where he was in construction and fought fires in Idaho. Upon hearing of the bombing of Pearl Harbor he left CCC and joined the Navy that he so proudly served until retirement. He was assigned to the USS Hovey DMS and later the USS Carmita IX-152 as signalman. Most of his service during WWII was spent in the South Pacific. After the war and a very short courtship, John came to Oneida, TN and married Retha Walker Owens (married 70 years) and worked at Colditz Brothers in Oneida, TN. He was also Master Mechanic on the Tennessee Railroad (Oneida, TN), then Foreman at Coster in Knoxville, Southern Railway and Norfolk Southern (Knoxville, TN). He retired from the railroad in 1986.

He was preceded in death by his wife: Retha W. Owens Partin; parents: Clint and Telitha Hubbs Partin; infant daughter: Gereda Fay; brothers: Hermon Partin and Chester Partin; sisters: Hattie Partin, Gladys Dean, Mary Gertrude Smith, and Aileen Storm.

He is survived by daughter: Linda Gail and husband Michael C. Garrett of Oneida; granddaughter: Julie Garrett Baird and husband Myke of Oneida; grandson: John Michael Garrett and Faith Bowling of Oneida; great-granddaughters: Alayna Baird, Carys Baird, and Ava Garrett; many special friends including Ann Eads and her family, all the breakfast regulars at Hardee's and later at Buddy's BBQ in Powell, TN; many other relatives and friends.

Friends may visit with the Partin family on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 from 2 p.m. until time of the funeral service at 3 p.m. in the chapel of West-Murley Funeral Home with Bro. Keith Marcum officiating.

Committal service will follow in Carson Memorial Park in Oneida with full Military Honors conducted by the American Legion Post #136 of Oneida. Great granddaughters, Alayna and Carys Baird will honor his memory by playing Taps. Pallbearers will be: John Michael Garrett, Myke Baird, Richard Byrd, Gene Marcum, Jim Marcum, and Jeff West.

In lieu of flowers, you may donate to: Honor Air Knoxville (flights to Washington, D.C. for military veterans https://www.honorairknoxville.com).

West-Murley Funeral Home is serving the family of John Ray Partin.

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