S. Luther Stapleton

Samuel Luther Stapleton, 94, died September 29, 2015 at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center. He had been a resident of Baysmont for the past seven years. Luther was born in Knoxville, was educated in the city schools, graduated from the University of Tennessee and received an MBA from Harvard Graduate School of Business in 1943.

He served three years in the Army in World War II - two years as a 1st Lieutenant in the Plans, Operations and Training section of G-4 in Army Headquarters of the Middle Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii. Luther was employed for 38 years with Tennessee Eastman Company and retired as Personnel Representative for the Computer Systems Division.

Luther loved music - played clarinet in high school band and orchestra and in the U.T. band, and saxophone in a dance band while in college. He was one of the founders of the Kingsport Symphony Orchestra and played clarinet with them for 40 years. Luther also played in a 5-piece German Band, the "Has Beens" and in the church orchestra.

He joined First Broad Street United Methodist Church in 1950, was a charter member of the Greer Memorial Sunday School Class (now Wesley), and sang in the choir for 38 years. Luther was a volunteer at Holston Valley Medical Center and was active in the Livesay Historical Society.

Luther was preceded in death by his parents, William Harrison and Viva Mallicoat Stapleton; a sister, Ruby Bryan, and brother, Leslie Stapleton.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Dorothy; children, Sam and wife, Patricia of Knoxville, Robert of Nashville, and Mary Anne Eason and husband, Rick of Orono, Maine; four grandchildren, Christopher Eason of Denver, Colorado, Parker (Jessica) Eason of Houston, TX, Elizabeth Stapleton of Eugene, Oregon, and Erin Stapleton of Knoxville; sister, Jane Jones (Clinton) of Stockbridge, Georgia; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held in the chapel on Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at First Broad Street United Methodist Church with Rev. Joe Green and The Rev. Jack P. Weikel officiating. The family will receive friends in the parlor following the memorial service.

Memorial contributions can be made to First Broad Street United Methodist Church - Music Fund, 100 E. Church Circle, Kingsport, TN 37660.