Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

About

Milton Hershey School Duke University Pennsylvania State University University of Tennessee

FUNERAL HOME

Farrar Funeral Home - Dandridge

162 East Meeting Street

Dandridge, Tennessee

Kerry Schell Obituary

SCHELL, DR. KERRY - age 81, of Knoxville died peacefully November 20th. He was preceded in death by his parents Dorthea Schell Reiser and Robert Schell; his sister, Judith Wick, and by his brother, William Schell. He is survived by the mother of his children Kathryn Schell Yeager; his son Robert K. Schell; daughter Holly Janney and son-in-law Dave Janney; daughter Sara Schell; and several nieces and nephews. Also long time companion Priscilla Felknor and her family, Anne and Laura Jo, son-in-law, John Squires and grandchildren, Olivia and Mitchell; who were like a second family to Kerry. Kerry was born November 21, 1927 in Tower City, PA. He graduated from the Milton Hershey School in Pennsylvania in 1945, served in the Korean War, received his B.S. in forestry with honors in 1958 from Pennsylvania State University, his M.S. in forestry in 1959 from Penn State, and his Ph.D. from Duke University in 1965. He received the Penn State Mont Alto Centennial Fellows award in 2004. Dr. Schell was an economist with the Tennessee Valley Authority and an Associate Professor of Forestry at the University of Tennessee from 1965 to 1990. He was active in many conservation organizations including the Society of American Foresters where he received the 2000 Outstanding Service Award. He was active in his community and was an avid bird hunter and outdoorsman. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held, Saturday, December 5th, 2009 at 3:00pm at the Messiah Lutheran Church with Pastor George Doebler and Pastor Eric Murray officiating. A reception for friends and family will be held following the service at the church. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts in memory of Kerry Schell may be made to the Messiah Lutheran Church, Fish Ministries Program, 6900 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Arrangements by Farrar Funeral Home, Dandridge. www.farrarfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Knoxville News Sentinel on Nov. 22, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Kerry Schell

21 Entries

Eric Watson

December 7, 2009

I first met Dr. Schell in 1973 as a freshman forestry student at UT. We became very close as I progressed through undergraduate and graduate school. I remember very vividly being a broke, recently married, graduate student and Dr. Schell helping me replace a clutch in my car in his driveway. He met my wife at the door the day of my oral exams to let her know that, needless to say, things had not gone all that well. Through the years Kerry always made an effort to stay connected with me and my family. He visited us on a number of occasions, got to know both of our sons, and attend several of my son's golf tournaments. We felt that Kerry was an extended member of our family, almost like an uncle. We communicated almost weekly. We will miss him very much.

Debbie Lynn

December 5, 2009

I will remember his fondness many years ago for Peugeots and the many mispronunciations. My thoughts are with you,Holly. Your father was always very kind to me.

Jack Muncy

December 4, 2009

Dr. Schell was a Professor's Professor. He was dedicated to his students, teaching lectures, profession (SAF), as well as to his birddogs. He got discount dog food for my sister who also worked at UTK. As he knew, I too am an avid Appalacian bird hunter. It is sad to see such mentors passing on.

Coriya Burns

December 2, 2009

Dr. Schell made an incredible impact on my life and was partially responsible for my enrolling at UTK. He went out of his way to take me and several other students all over the west coast exploring the wonderful options that the industry of Forestry had to offer. I am forever indebted to him.

Joseph M. Frank

November 29, 2009

Kerry and I were classmates at PSU and grouse hunting buddies for nearly 50 years. I learned of his death while in the deer camp that he helped build. Those favorite grouse coverts of ours while seem lonely without him.

November 29, 2009

Kerry and I were classmates at PSU and grouse hunting buddies for nearly 50 years. I learned of his death while I was in the deer camp that he helped build. Those favorite grouse coverts of ours will be lonely without him.

MIke Dahl

November 28, 2009

Kerry was my major professor back in the mid 1970's. But, more than that, he was my friend. We walked the ridges of Clinch Mountain and in Hancock County in search of grouse and in those tiny little places where people seldom look, we found the things that made us friends.
A touch of irony if you will. I did a guest lecture of Dr. Ostermeier a couple of weeks ago and caught myself saying the same words to the class that Schell had spoken over 30 years ago. I guess the goods things do prevail.
He made me work hard and challenged me with his obstinance at times. But those lessons served me well as I added my own touch to the legacy of conservation and stewardship.
"When the studen is ready, the teacher will find him." I was ready, and Kerry found me. And that was a good thing.
Rest easy Kerry, you did well. You made a difference.

Mike Dahl, Knoxville, Tennessee

Richard T. Bender

November 25, 2009

Kerry will be missed by everyone at Bender & Associates where he stopped on occasion for coffee and fellowship.

Tim Schell

November 24, 2009

My uncle and I were not close early in my life. My father, Bill Schell, and he had religious differences. At my father's funeral, I became reaquainted with Kerry. Since then we have communicated many times via telephone, and we were looking forward to meeting over a kettlehouse beer when next he visited Missoula, Montana. I mourn the opportunity lost. Our lives are too short to miss the times when we should have connected with our family members. My father and Kerry became very close in the end times of their lives and I wish I could have been more a part of that. To my cousins, nieces, and nephews I say call me often and let not time waste away for we shall all meet our maker soon enough.
406-240-6189 talk to you soon and farewell Uncle.

Joe Lovelace

November 24, 2009

I was very sorry to read of Dr. Schell's passing. Although I hadn't seen him for many years, he was definitely an important part of my years as a student in UT's Dept. of Forestry so long ago. A unique personality and a significant part of my education. His contributions, personal and educational, will be missed.

Richard McClain

November 24, 2009

As part of the Penn State Alumni group of East Tennessee, I found that Kerry Schell was a person well worth knowing and we were made better for having known him. Though our acquaintenship was short, it was impressionable, and he was a good person to have on your side. My heartfelt condolences to his family.

November 24, 2009

Your father was a dear friend. We spent mant pleasant hours talking over the world's problems. He talked so often of his children. I know this is a hard time for you. I hope you will be comforted by the fact he died peacefully. He so wanted to stay independent.
Charmaine Mamantov (Knoxville)

Stephen Wells

November 24, 2009

Amazingly, I was just telling a funny bird hunting story about our Dads' yesterday, and am saddened to learn of Dr. Schell's passing today. My heart goes out to you Robert, Holly, and Sara on the loss of your Dad. May God comfort you with fond memories of your father and all the wonderful things in life he achieved; and more importantly, all the things he helped others achieve. God Bless the Schell Family.

John Tucker

November 24, 2009

I will truly miss Kerry, his laugh and positive attitude, and the many wonderful times we shared together.
To the Schell Family: I am so sorry for your loss. May God support you through this difficult time.

Lorraine Barlett

November 24, 2009

Dear friends and family of Dr. Schell, I am tremendously sorry for the loss of your beloved father and friend. May you find comfort in memories of his love and life well spent, in addition to his peaceful departure and entry into to the presence of our heavenly father. God bless you all.

LaVetta Spann

November 23, 2009

It's so hard to believe that Dr. Schell is gone, I just talked to him, what seems like only yesterday. I'm going to miss him. Dr. Schell was a great person, he really loved and cared about his students and cared about the retirees in the Dept. of FWF. Dr. Schell you will be greatly missed! To the Schell Family, you have my deepest condolences!

Ellie Sartorius

November 22, 2009

I have known Kerry since I was a little girl visiting him with my family, as he was a close friend of my father (Brad Baumeister) and fellow classmate at Hershey. I am so glad we had a chance to see him this past September at their Homecoming and had a memorable visit--something we will always be grateful for. He was a faithful friend to our family and will be greatly missed.

Diana Kreider

November 22, 2009

Dear family: I am most sorry to hear about loss -- I will miss Dr. Schell and his fun stories that he often shared around the Thompson family table. May good memories help ease your sorrow.

Georgiana Vines

November 22, 2009

Kerry and my dad, George W. Fry, were good friends. Both were Penn State graduates and foresters. They would talk in "Pennsylvania Dutch" when they got together. Mom never could understand the conversation. I'll miss hearing his accent when he'd call to check on her.

Kay Hoch

November 22, 2009

Dear Family and Friends,
I was very sorry to hear of Kerry's death. I have fond memories of him from my childhood at Stone Valley (PA). More recently I had a chance to visit with him when he stopped to see my dad (Rex Melton), one of the Mont Alto group that gets together near Penn State. He was a lovely, lively man. My sincerely sympathy on your loss.

Sis Thompson

November 22, 2009

The Schell Family: Im very sorry for your Loss.God Bless you All!

Showing 1 - 21 of 21 results