Bruce Robert Miniat

Bruce Robert Miniat, age 76, of Dandridge, TN, formerly of Greeneville, died at his home on Douglas Lake in Dandridge on Sunday, February 20, 2011 after a courageous 4 ½ year battle with cancer. Mr. Miniat was a son of the late Bruce and Julia Miniat. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara Beth Miniat; a brother, Richard ?Dick? Miniat; and a granddaughter, Andrea ?Annie? Ricker. Bruce was a graduate of Huntertown High School in Huntertown, Indiana, where he was a member of the track and basketball teams. He was also a graduate of Tusculum College with a B.S. in Business Administration in 1960. Mr. Miniat was a sergeant in the U. S. Marine Corps, having served during the Korean Conflict. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign War Post 1990 in Greeneville and Post 2372 in Newport. He retired from Magnavox/Phillips as Director of Parts and Service. While in Greeneville, Bruce was a volunteer coach for the Recreation Department for over twenty years. He coached the winning Greeneville Junior Pro basketball team that won the state championship and runner-up in the national championship. He also coached junior league bowling teams for over forty years. Bruce was an avid fisherman and bowler. He is the president and secretary of the Newport Bowling Association. He continued to bowl until five months ago when his health worsened. Mr. Miniat is a member of Hills Union United Methodist Church in Dandridge where he worked as a volunteer and participated faithfully in the weekly afternoon Disciple Bible Study class and served as treasurer of the Methodist Men?s Club. Survivors include his wife of almost 13 years, Anne Crabtree Miniat, also formerly of Greeneville; three sons and daughters-in-law: Bruce and Donna Miniat. Larry and Keli Miniat and Robert and Donna Miniat; two daughters and one son-in-law: Gayle Miniat and Julia and Warren Ricker; one stepson and wife: Travis and Robin Crabtree; ten grandchildren and spouses, Barbie and Thomas Ishii, Alex Miniat, Garet Miniat, Christopher, Harley Jarnigan, Nina and Corey Wallace, and Josh Adams, Samantha Hansen, and Matthew Crowe; two great grandchildren, Taiyou Ishii, Mei Ishii; and one brother and sister-in-la,: Bill and Jo Miniat; four sisters and brothers-in-law, Judy and Jerry Collins, Mary Ann and Sam Harmon, Barbara and Don Wahl, and Jerry and Bill Matthias; three sisters-in-law and their husbands, Lee Ann and John Smalling, Joyce and Floyd Gray, Alice and H.B. Lawson; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and a great-great nephew and two very special children, Addie and Alessa Morales. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 24, 2011 at Hills Union United Methodist Church with the Reverend Michael Ladd officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in Dandridge. The body will lie in state at the church one hour before services. Pallbearers will be Alex Miniat, Garet Miniat, Jerry Collins, Lewis Morales, John Smalling and Chris Gregory. Honorary pall bearers will be the men of the Newport Bowling Association and members of the Hills Union United Methodist Men?s Club. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday at Farrar Funeral Home in Dandridge. ARRANGMENTS BY FARRAR FUNERAL HOME, DANDRIDGE 865-397-2711