John R. Throp

John R. Throp, age 74, of Kingsport, died at his home on Thursday, March 15, 2012. He was a lifelong resident of Kingsport and was a member of the Dobyns-Bennett High School Class of '57. John served in the U.S. Navy for 6 years. He retired in January of 1997 from Eastman Chemical Company after 34 years of service. He was a lifetime and active member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. John enjoyed fishing, boating and spending time with his family and his friends. He loved bluegrass and country music and basset hounds. John was well-known for helping many people using his vast array of skills and will be remembered for his unique wit.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil A. and Nellie Bull Throp and his sister, Margaret Throp Stockler.

John is survived by his wife, Marie Lennertz Throp; daughter, Vicki Throp Venezia and husband, John of The Woodlands, TX; son, Thom Throp of Princeton, WV; granddaughters, Rachel Throp Ritter and husband, Gregory, and Regan Throp Pierce and husband, Jody; grandsons, Walker Throp and wife, Danielle, Josef Throp, Sterling Throp, Gabriel Throp, all of Kingsport, TN, and Anthony Venezia of Dallas, TX; great-grandchildren, Adam, Noah, Lily and Seth Ritter, Trenton and Jansen Throp all of Kingsport, TN; "Other Son", Jack Huntoon and wife, Michelle; "Other grandchildren", Issac, Abigale and Joanna Huntoon of Maryville, TN; brother-in-law, Robert Stockler of Louisville, KY; niece, MaryBeth Stockler Buckner and husband, Jeff of Louisville, KY; and Man's Best Friend, "Cecil."

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 18, 2012 at 3:00 pm at St. Paul's Episcopal Church with The Rev. Edward James Mills, III and The Rev. C. Edward Osborne, PhD officiating. The family will receive friends at the church following the service.

The family would like to thank Brooke Fischer and Contrinia Payne with Amedisys Hospice Services, Cassidy Peace with Smokey Mt. Medical Equipment and Dr. Robert Funke.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church or St. Paul's Food Pantry, 161 E. Ravine Rd., Kingsport, TN 37660, 423-245-5187.