John Eric Unthank

September 3, 1950 - June 16, 2024

John Eric Unthank, age 73, of Knoxville, Tennessee, received his eternal reward on Father’s Day, June 16, 2024, surrounded by his family at home. A minister in the Church of God (Cleveland, TN) for over 50 years, most recently John was an active member at Grace Baptist Church in Karns, where he was blessed to teach regularly and enjoy numerous friendships.

Born in East St. Louis, IL, in 1950, John was an only child surrounded by love from his parents, aunts and uncles, cousins, and church family. He began playing piano at age 8, a talent that he enjoyed and used to bless others his entire life, even in his final days. He received a B.S. in Education from Southern Illinois University in 1972, whereupon he moved to Canton, OH to begin his ministerial career. Shortly thereafter he was appointed state evangelist, making him a traveling preacher from 1972-1974. While traveling, he encountered Shelia Daniel, a beautiful young alto in a Cincinnati-based gospel trio – and the twelfth child in a family of 19. Enamored by her beauty and kindness, John quickly won her heart with his gentle spirit and quick wit that kept her laughing for nearly 50 years. They married on November 16, 1974, and while she legally became an Unthank, John joyfully was grafted in as one of the Daniel clan, the only child enraptured by this new, enormous family.

John and Shelia continued pastoring in Ohio and Illinois as they welcomed two sons and forged many lifelong friendships. Eventually they moved to Knoxville in 1990 and put down roots in the community. John served as Associate Pastor of Dutch Valley Church of God until 1999, and in 2000 he founded The College Connection at the University of Tennessee. Serving on campus for 18 years, John became a familiar face outside the Student Union with his Tuesday “Prayer Hut,” offering students a friendly face, listening ear, or even just a stick of gum as they walked past. His kindness and non-judgmental approach created a safe space for students and built many community relationships that would extend into the next chapters of John’s life and ministry.

As he continued to grow through several other roles in area churches, kidney failure ultimately led to thrice-weekly dialysis treatments beginning in 2014. John finally retired from pastoring in 2015, when the demands of his work schedule conflicted with the demands of his treatment. Determined not to let his calling die with his kidneys, John soon found a renewed purpose and passion as the Title I Schools Liason for The Knoxville Dream Center, blessing Knox County teachers and students with supplies, books, and weekly encouragement. John’s signature humor and bent toward silliness quickly led to him becoming known as “Mr. Crayola Man,” an identity he took on when he donned a crayon box costume to deliver supplies to schools. Always eager to spread joy and laughter, John embraced many costumes over the years: from an orchestra conductor to a Polar Express train conductor, a Thanksgiving turkey to the Cat in the Hat, he brought stories and activities to life for children with his colorful characters and playfulness. Still, no matter how many other personas he had, he would always be best known for his box of crayons.

While serving with the Knoxville Dream Center, John delivered much-needed school supplies to some 500 dedicated educators in Knoxville’s at-risk elementary schools with the Make a Teacher Smile program. Also through KDC’s Book Mobile, he distributed thousands of books to children in Knox County. He has read to hundreds of students in more than 60 local classrooms, and his commitment to promoting early reading and fun led him to be recognized by the Knox County Public Library and United Way of Greater Knoxville with the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Seeds of Literacy Award in 2022.

John’s ministry thrived through dialysis for almost a decade, but when his health journey reached a critical point in February 2024, he was forced to step back from many of these activities that brought him so much joy. He continued to push through challenges until June, when complications made him unable to endure continued treatments. Fittingly, John passed away early in the morning on Father’s Day, finally seeing his Heavenly Father face to face.

John was welcomed to his heavenly home by his beloved parents, Albert and Joan Unthank. He is survived by his devoted wife of 49 years, Shelia; two loving sons, Jonathan (Melanie) and Jeremy (Mary Beth); seven adored grandchildren: Daniel, Lily, Sean, Evelyn Ann, Seth, Jonas, and Emmaline; many close-knit cousins and the tremendous Daniel clan he married into; and thousands of children, teachers, administrators, pastors, community members, church parishioners, college students, and more that have been blessed by his generous life of love.

A celebration of life will be held on Monday, July 8, at Park West Church Dutch Valley Campus, 1416 Breda Dr. 37918. A time of fellowship will take place at 6:30pm, followed by the service at 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Knoxville Dream Center’s Make A Teacher Smile campaign.