Claude Beckner

Claude Beckner, 87, of Kingsport, passed away Friday, May 27, 2011.

Born in Wilder, Virginia to the late Guyion Thomas and Mary Ethel Beckner, Claude lived in the Kingsport area most of his life. He was a veteran of World War II, a member of the American Legion, and the National Rifle Association.

Claude was employed with Eastman Chemical Company for 45 years. He was an avid gardener, motorcyclist, and woodworker.

Surviving are his wife of 65 years, Phyllis McNeill Beckner; sons, John Beckner and wife Kathy of Bluff City and Tom Beckner and wife Michele of Johnson City; granddaughters, Lisa Beckner of Bluff City, Alyson Blevins and husband Jimmy of Bristol, TN, Amanda Beckner and Emma Beckner, both of Gray; great-granddaughter, Katie Blevins; brother, Guy Beckner of Buckeye, Arizona; and sister, Venious Warner of Greenwood, Indiana.

The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to all of the Buchelew Drive neighbors for the many wonderful years of friendship and a very special thanks to Nancy Rachel, who has been like a daughter to Claude. They would like to express their gratitude to his caregivers, Lynn Chandler, Amy Carter, Gaye Green, Kathy Tate and Cindy Smith, and to Wellmont Hospice.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Kingsport.

Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday at Tri-Cities Memory Gardens with Rev. Ike Brighton officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the American Legion Posts #3/265.

Pallbearers will be Quinton Tubb, David Elliott, Dr. Mark Hash, Randy Steadman, Jess Turner, Paul Warner, David Warner, Douglas Young, Richard Mettler, Keith Smith, and Nancy Rachel.

Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Hash, Byron Elliott, Lester Holt, Todd White, and Joe Bender.