John Wendell Rector

RECTOR, JOHN WENDELL - age 97, died on Saturday September 25 , 2010. He was born on July 12, 1913 in Vasper, Tennessee and at age four moved with his family to Coal Creek, now named Lake City. During the depression, John worked his way through the University of Tennessee, received a degree in Business Administration and later joined Park National Bank in Knoxville. He retired as a Vice-President after 42 years. John served in the United States Army during World War II. He was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Powell. John was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Helen McKinney Rector; parents, George Franklin Rector and Nancy Anne Disney Rector; brother Richard Paul Rector, known as Dickey Paul, who suffered from cerebral palsy since birth; sister, Helen Rector Alley; daughter-in-law, Beverly Fraker Rector. He is survived by his daughter, Ann Rector Weigel and husband Bill; son, David Wendell Rector and wife Susan Parker Rector, all of Knoxville; six grandchildren, Melissa Ann Rector; Brian Wendell Rector, John Parker Rector and wife Jill Voigt Rector; William Kurt Weigel and wife Carolyn Wagner Weigel, all of Knoxville; Laurie Weigel Keville and husband John of Charlottesville, Virginia; and Dr. Margaret Weigel Kwasigroch and husband Keith of Atlanta, Georgia; seven great-grandchildren; Connor, Jack and Caroline Keville of Charlottesville, Virginia; Karley and Abby Weigel of Knoxville; William (Will) and Emma Kwasigroch of Atlanta, Georgia; and his only niece, Nancy Alley Evins of Lebanon, Tennessee. Music was important to his life and he sang in the choir as a young man at the First Baptist Church in Lake City, often singing for weddings and funerals. He was soloist for his niece Nancy's wedding. Most important, though, to him were family and faith. He was a devoted husband, father, and loyal caretaker for his invalid brother. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought him much joy. He read his Bible and daily devotions until his eyesight failed him. Always optimistic and kind, no one ever heard him lift his voice in anger. His sense of humor remained with him until his final days, as did his love of music. On his last trip by ambulance, he sang all the way to the hospital joined by a nurse who accompanied him in a duet. He was unique and will be dearly missed. The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff of Mercy Residential Hospice for their loving care. The family and friends will meet Tuesday at Lynnhurst Cemetery for an 11:00 A.M. graveside service with the Reverend Phil Jones officiating. Pallbearers will be William B. Weigel, Kurt Weigel, Brian Rector, John Parker Rector,John Keville, and Keith Kwasigroch. ln lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mercy Residential Hospice 4774 Andersonville Pike, Knoxville, Tennessee 37938 or to the First Baptist Church, Powell, 7706 Ewing Road, Powell, Tennessee 37849. The family will receive friends from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Monday at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel. online condolences may be made at www.rosemortuary.com