Joshua Stapleton

STAPLETON, JOSHUA (JAY) - Powell, was born March 16, 1921, in Tazewell, TN. Preceded in death by mother and father, Josephine (Robertson) and Robert Stapleton, step-father, Henry Cupp; brothers and sisters in law, Tom and Nell, Kenneth, and Orville and Janice Stapleton; sisters and brothers in law, Cretie and Don Zink, Dovie and John Johnson, Ruby and George Turner, and Wanda Lou and Henry Griffith and Harold Lester. Mourning hi loss are his loving wife of 62 years, Ima Lee Boruff Stapleton; daughter and son in law, Brenda and Ron Bush, granddaughter and husbands, Amy and John Alley, Melissa and Adam Blair, and one great-grandson, Mason Blair, who Pappaw Josh thought was "one fine boy." Josh also leaves three brothers in law and two sisters in law, James and Saundra Boruff, Charles and Christine Earl and Bill Dickerson; also surviving are many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly and enjoyed hearing his many stories and jokes over the years. He also leaves special friends, Ginger Freels Pritchard, Larry and Janice Bush, Jack and Peggy Alley, and Doyle and Amy Cole, as well as treasured friends from Rocky Dale Primitive Baptist Church. The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Brad Flaming and staff (especially Tina, Tammy and Peggy) as well as caregivers Richard Johnson, Mary Vasquez, Angie Young and Carolyn Shular for their excellent care during the past several months, and to St. Mary's Hospice. At 15 years of age, Josh served with the CCs at Norris Dam, and later joined the U.S. Army, where he served in WWII in Iwo Jima, Guadalcanal, Hawaii, and other locations, coming home to marry his sweetheart, Ima Lee Boruff, in July 1945. Josh was a self-taught builder and obtained his general contractor's license in the late 1960's. He built many homes in the Karns area. He also was proud to be a 32nd. Degree Mason at Charles McKinney Lodge as well as a deacon at Rocky Dale Primitive Baptist Church till health issues prevented him from attending services. Service 7:00 p.m., Monday, Mynatt Funeral Home Fountain City, Elder Glenn Davis and Elder Bill Berry officiating. Family and friends will meet, 10:45 a.m., Tuesday, Clapps Chapel Cemetery, Corryton for interment at 11:00 a.m. conducted by Dr. Charles Earl. Pallbearers: Ron and Larry Bush, John Alley, Adam Blair, with nephews serving as honorary pallbearers. The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Rocky Dale Primitive Baptist Church, c/o Charles Bryant, 6524 Spring View Lane, Knoxville, TN 37918 or to the Ty Pritchard Medical Travel Fund, c/o Ginger Pritchard, 7012 Shalidar Drive Knoxville, TN 37921. The family will receive friends 5:30 - 7:00 p.m., Monday, Mynatt Funeral Home Fountain City. www.mynattfh.com