John Rinehart

John Rinehart passed away on Monday, September 21, 2020, at Jefferson Memorial Hospital. He was born at home in Fairmont, WV, on May 15, 1942, and was 78 years old at the time of his passing. John was a loving husband, great father and big brother. He married the love of his life, Deborah Ann Johnson and stayed in love with her for more than 55 years. He had two sons, Michael (married to Lynn, quilter extraordinaire) and Aaron (married to Kristen, fantastic artist and teacher) and two grandchildren Alexandra, a budding, young, up-and-coming fashion designer and Conner, a nationally rated fencer and stellar soccer player. He was the older brother of Roger (Baneberry) and Sue (Boyertown, PA). John had a love of the outdoors, as he had a Bachelor’s degree in Forestry from West Virginia University and a Master’s degree in Outdoor Recreation Management from Southern Illinois University. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and he just had a general love of everything outdoors. He passed along to his sons a love of the outdoors and all things nature. If John was not out on the lake fishing or pulling water skiers or teaching someone to waterski, he was in the stands at football, ice hockey, basketball, baseball and soccer games cheering on his sons and their respective teams. He also cheerfully listened to whatever shrieks came from Michael’s guitar or the pounding from Aaron’s drums. He always said, “it sounds good to me.” He built pitching mounds in the backyard, hit countless pop flies to his sons and made sure his grandchildren always had fun and memorable activities planned for any visit. As a supportive husband, he was right by his wife’s side with love and encouragement as she embarked on opening a home-based monogramming business that served the Lakeway area for many years. He and his wife retired together, John after 26 years with the Morristown office of the Tennessee Valley Authority, and spent many years together traveling to far away and exotic places. John had a heart of gold and often interesting, if not spot-on takes about life and the world around him. Very quick-witted, he knew the right time to drop one of his hilarious one-liners that brought smiles and laughter to all who heard them. John was a great teacher as he taught his family to respect one another, how to shoot free throws, throw a ball and drive a boat. Most importantly, he taught his sons how to be men, the right kind of men. He was loved by many and leaves a void in the life of all who knew him. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to First Presbyterian Church of Jefferson City 721 Church St, Jefferson City, TN 37760. The family is planning a celebration of life at a later date. Arrangements by Farrar Funeral Home in Jefferson City, TN 865-475-3892 www.farrarfuneralhome.com