James Thomas Haynes

Haynes, James Thomas (Tommy) (Tom), Col, US Army, Retired Tommy was born the son of L. Eunice and Etna Horne Haynes in Knoxville TN on February 27, 1926. He left this world for a better place on August 22, 2017. He is of Protestant faith, most recently a member of the Union Grove United Methodist Church in Friendsville. He grew up in Park City in Knoxville and graduated from Knoxville High School in 1944 where he had been head cheerleader and president of the Cavalier Club. He spent 2 and a half years in the Army during WWII. Upon separation he entered the University of Tennessee in the first class of Industrial Engineering and graduated with a BS degree in 1950. While there he met and married the love of his life, Peggy Lou Dunsmore. Upon graduation he was recalled to active duty for the Korean War. He spent 21 months in country, becoming the company commander of the augmented Engineer Construction Company doing major construction in support of the Korean army. Upon return he was assigned to Georgia Tech as an ROTC instructor. While there he earned a Master of Science degree in Industrial Engineering. During his military career he was given a Regular Army Commission with a branch transfer to the Ordnance Corps because of this academic qualifications. He had overseas assignments in Japan, Korea, France, Germany and Vietnam. While he was stationed at the Army Tank\Automotive Command in Detroit he also taught Industrial Engineering at Wayne State University for two years. His final active duty assignment was Director of Procurement and Production at the Army Missile Command in Huntsville, Alabama. His awards include a Presidential Citation, the Army Commendation Medal and two awards of the Meritorious Service Medal. After retirement he was employed by a firm engaged in preparing original cost estimates for the NASA Space Shuttle era. Following that he returned to East Tennessee working first on the Breeder Reactor program, then for Martin Marietta in Oak Ridge. During these years Tom, along with Peggy, became founding members of the Lady Vol Boost-her Club. Both held various offices, including club president over a period of 25-plus years. They also coordinated the activities during Lady Vol Alumnae weekends for the basketball team. Tom also worked with his Knoxville High School classmates to hold reunions every 5 years for the Class of 1944, thru the 65th year reunion. He cherished the opportunity to stay in touch with people with whom he grew up. He often said, “There’s no friends like old friends”. Tom was preceded in death by his parents and his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Mae Horne. His wife Peggy; his two daughters, Linda (Allen) Boardman and Rebecca Williams. His Grandson Chris (Alana) Myers, granddaughter, Lauren (Joey) Beasley and great-grandson Colt Myers. A visitation will be held on Sunday August 27, 2017 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm at Berry Highland Memorial with Military Honors to follow at a 3pm graveside service. Arrangements by Berry Highland Memorial, 5315 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Friends and family may leave their condolences online at www.HighlandMemorialKnoxville.com.