Thomas Riley Milam

Thomas R. Milam, 85, of Kingsport, passed away on Friday morning at 11:30 am July 3, 2009 at Indian Path Hospital surrounded by his family.

A life long resident of Kingsport, Tom was a graduate of Dobyns-Bennett High School and Milligan College. He did his graduate work at Peabody College and ETSU. Tom was gunnery instructor in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a member of First Broad Street United Methodist Church.

Tom dedicated his adult life to the care and education of children. He began his teaching career in 1950 in Sullivan County. He loved his work there and was especially fond of the superintendent, Mr. J.C. Akard.

In the late 1950s, Tom was asked to take the principalship of Andrew Johnson Elementary School in Kingsport, where he remained for 31 years until retirement. This was the school of his dreams. He had wonderful teachers and support staff, but most of all he loved all the children that he had the opportunity to develop and cultivate.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Roby and Ocie Milam, Sisters Cleo Crosswhite, Blanche Hicks and Dorothy Blue.

Survivors include his wife, Nita Matson Milam; one son, Matson Milam and wife, Sandi of Johnson City, TN; two daughters, Melissa Blanton and husband, Mike of Canton GA and Mindy Dixon and husband, Mike of Kennesaw, GA.; Grandchildren, Miranda Davis and husband, Chad of Kingsport, TN, Joseph Sifferd of Manhattan Beach, CA, Michelle and John Thomas Blanton of Canton, GA, Taylor, Kaitlyn and Parker Dixon of Kennesaw, GA; great grandchildren, Logan and Cory of Kingsport; two sisters, Eileen Ramsey and Thelma Mauk both of Johnson City, TN; and several special nieces and nephews.

Private family graveside services will be held at Oak Hill Memorial Park on Tuesday.

A memorial service will be conducted on Tuesday at 2:00 pm in the sanctuary of First Broad Street United Methodist Church with Rev. Andrew Amodei officiating.

Those wishing to visit the family may come to the family home at any time or attend the reception immediately following the memorial service at the church.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Preston Place II and the 4th floor staff of Indian Path Hospital for their loving kindness and care.

In Tom s devotion to the education and care of children the family requests in lieu of flowers that memorial contributions be made to St. Jude Children s Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.