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RAYSON, JOHN B. - age 79 of Knoxville, TN, died peacefully Wednesday, October 31, 2012, at Tennova Residential Hospice. John was a graduate of Beloit College and the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1958. After graduating, he joined the firm now known as Kramer Rayson, where he practiced for 50 years. In a recent letter to John, a close friend and law partner shared these feelings, "I was always in awe and amazement of your grasp of the essence of what we were trying to accomplish for our clients. Moreover, it was always, always so much fun". This is the way John approached his work and lived his life. John served briefly as Law Director for the City of Knoxville. He was active with Legal Aid of East Tennessee for many years and was President in 1997 and 1998. John was a Fellow of the Tennessee Bar Foundation and President of the Tennessee Supreme Court Historical Society. He was a 50 year member of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension. In 1982 he was appointed Vice Chancellor, legal counsel, for the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee and served through 1995. After retiring, John was involved in a number of volunteer activities. These included: serving as a Stephen Minister, being a member of the Church of the Ascension Circle of Friends, and working with the FISH hospitality pantry. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. E.H. Rayson and Lillian A. Rayson, and a son, David E. Rayson. John is survived by Mary Rayson, his loving wife of 57 years; son, Ronald A. Rayson, and son and daughter-in-law, Brad Rayson and Beth Eason; brother, E.H. Rayson, Jr. and his wife Sherry; nieces and nephews and their spouses, Jane Howard (Butch), Ned Rayson (Lilly), and Scott Rayson (Cary); and several great nieces and nephews. There will be a memorial service celebrating John's life, Monday November 5, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, 800 Northshore Drive, Knoxville, TN 37919. A reception will follow the service in the Church Parish Hall. There will be a private inurnment at the Church preceding the service. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Episcopal Church of the Ascension or Legal Aid of East Tennessee, 502 S. Gay Street, Suite 404, Knoxville, TN 37902.
Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel. Online condolences at www.rosemortuary.com
Published in Knoxville News Sentinel from November 3 to November 4, 2012
