Thomas B. Drinnen Jr.
Thomas B. Drinnen Jr.
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Thomas Drinnen Obituary
Medical Center. He was born on May 26, 1937. He was a long-time family physician at UT
Medical Center and the Medical Director of Hillcrest Nursing Homes offering high quality care to
vulnerable older adults until the mid-1990's.
Tom loved his God, his family, and extended church family at Arlington Church of Christ where
he was an excellent teacher and elder for 35 years. He loved being a doctor like his dad and
grandfather, and spent much of his medical career serving underserved populations in
Knoxville. He worked 3.5 years in Liberia, West Africa as a medical missionary. Tom pioneered
mobile clinics in his Liberian work allowing him to also serve the spiritual and physical needs of
many villages and communities. Tom and Anita were honored for their work in Africa with the
Farrar Award for Service in Medical Missions by the International Christian Hospital Foundation.
Tom was preceded in death by his father, Captain Thomas B. Drinnen (died in WW II); mother,
Fern Drinnen Bittle; half-brother, Jimmy Bittle and sister-in-law, Billie Drinnen. He is survived by
his beloved wife, Anita Hunter Drinnen; daughter, Dr. Susan Kehl (Kevin) of Fairfield Bay,
Arkansas; son, Tommy Drinnen; brother, Dr. Gary Drinnen of Mooresville, North Carolina; brother,
Dr. Dan Drinnen (Sue) of Dickson, Tennessee; grandchildren, Braden Kehl (Alex) of Fayetteville,
Arkansas and Brooke Kehl of Franklin, Tennessee and many nieces and nephews
The family will receive friends at Arlington Church of Christ at 3-5 pm on Friday, December
29, 2023. A Celebration of Life will follow at 5 pm in the auditorium.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Arlington Church of Christ earmarked for the
Hope Fund.
Gentry Griffey Funeral Chapel and Crematory is honored to serve the Drinnen family. Condolences may be left for the family at www.gentrygriffey.com.
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3 Entries
Kathy Williams
December 29, 2023
Never got the privilege to meet Tom, but did get to meet sweet Anita when Shailyn, our granddaughter helped as his caregiver. Tom and Anita were both so sweet and special to her.
Sorry to hear I of his passing but all is well with all who knew our Lord.
Prayers for comfort to all.
Kathy Williams
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Suzanne Floyd
December 27, 2023
The Hunter family was never one to give hugs. But Tom would always give me a hug when he saw me. He didn't know how much that meant to me, but I'll always remember that. And will always remember
what he means to our family, and always will. What a legacy he leaves behind!
Debra King
December 27, 2023
Dr. Drinnen was the absolute best. Loved him as a friend and doctor.
Debbie King
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5301 Fountain Rd, Knoxville, TN 37918
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