James Wiley Dobyns

James Wiley Dobyns, of Kingsport, Tennessee, died on Friday, October 21, 2016. Jim was born February 2, 1936, to Howe and Helen Ring Dobyns. He was the grandson and namesake of Kingsport's first Mayor, James Wiley Dobyns. Jim felt he grew in the best of times, attending Kingsport City Schools and graduating from Dobyns-Bennett High School in 1954. He played football at DB and continued his football career at VPI. Jim earned a B.A. from the University of Tennessee and an M.B.A. from East Tennessee State University.

After graduation, he was commissioned in the Army and served ADT at Ft. Eustis and Ft. Story. He came home and worked for Mason and Dixon and joined the 639th Unit of the Army Reserves. They were called to active duty in 1961 during the Berlin Crisis. He remained on active duty, joining the 1st Special Forces and serving with IV Corp Delta. His military career continued taking him on three tours of South Vietnam serving with the Elite Special Forces as a Green Beret. Jim qualified as a jumpmaster and received silver and bronze stars for meritorious achievements in ground operations. The President of Vietnam presented him with a Letter of Appreciation for outstanding service in protecting the freedom of South Vietnam.

He returned state side and graduated from USA Command and General Staff College. He taught courses at The National Defense University. He also was an instructor at the University of Mississippi and North Georgia Military College. He received many other awards and honors in both the Army Infantry and Airborne Divisions. Jim was of the "quiet generation" seldom talking about his wartime experiences and honors. After retiring from the military he remained involved with the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the National and Watauga Chapter of the Reserve Officer's Association.

After leaving the Active Military, he returned to Kingsport and continued in the Army Reserves. He retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel after 20 years of service. He was owner/operator of the Kingsport Livestock Market which had been a family business since the early years of Kingsport. During this time, he was active in the Tennessee and Sullivan County Cattlemen's Association. He retired in 2007 after selling the business.

Jim was active in community affairs. He was always a member and supporter of the Chamber of Commerce and was the Chamber representative on the 2009 Santa Train. He was a member of the Kingsport Lions Club, serving in all offices and was a Melvin Jones Fellow.

Jim served as an usher at First Broad Street United Methodist Church where his great grandparents were charter members.

He is survived by his wife, Lois Young Dobyns; step-daughter, Leigh Anne Simpson, M.D. and her husband, Harland Simpson, M.D. and their sons, James and David; stepdaughter, Suzanne and Trish Young; brother, Bob Dobyns and wife Linda of Ooltewah, Tennessee, and their children, Ben Dobyns of Ooltewah, Dan Dobyns of Newton, South Carolina, and Robyn Keller of Holly Springs, North Carolina.

Mr. Dobyns will be transferred to the church one hour prior to services to lie in state.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, October 24, 2016 at First Broad Street United Methodist Church with Rev. Joe Green, Rev. Jack P. Weikel, and Rev. Jack Edwards officiating. The family will receive friends in the Parlor following the service.

Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Monday, October 24, 2016 at Oak Hill Memorial Park with Military Honors accorded by Tennessee Army National Guard.

Pallbearers will be Jim Frazier, David Ring, Bart Cross, Wiley Clifford, Joe Tretola, James Simpson, and David Simpson. Honory pallbearers will be Dr. Nathan Ridgeway, Fred Bradley, Al Asbury, Bill Ring, and Sam Reams.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lions Club of Kingsport, P.O. Box 3366, Kingsport, TN 37664, and First Broad Street United Methodist Church, 100 E Church Circle, Kingsport, TN 37660.

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