Sunday, August 7, 2011

John Lycurgus Offutt, II

OFFUTT, JOHN LYCURGUS, II - age 96 of Knoxville, passed away on Thursday, August 4, 2011 at Continuum Courtyard following an extended illness. Mr. Offutt was born on February 28, 1915 in Offutt, Tennessee. He was the son of the late John Oscar Offutt and Sarah Irene Hatmaker Offutt and was also preceded in death by his wife, Hansel Minton Offutt in 2010 and a brother, Frank Delma Offutt. Though unable to attend church on a regular basis during his last years, Mr. Offutt was of the Methodist faith. He is survived by his devoted daughter, Cynthia Diane Offutt of Knoxville; a cousin, Herman (Buddy) Irwin of Atlanta; two second-cousins, Andrew Offutt Irwin and Sally Irwin McFolling both of Atlanta. A graveside service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Sunday at Sinking Springs United Methodist Church in Clinton with Reverend Don Thomas officiating. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 12:00 noon until 1:30 p.m. at the mortuary prior to the graveside service. Online condolences may be extended at www.rosemortuary.com. Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Broadway Chapel.
Published in Knoxville News Sentinel on August 6, 2011.

John Lycurgus Offutt, II, was named for his grandfather, Col. John Lycurgus Offutt. Col. Offutt was born 1 Aug 1826 in MD and died 12 Aug 1885 in TN. He married Adalide A. Kindler, born 25 Mar 1848 in MD. According to John L., his grandfather was a contractor who came to TN in the 1800s. He built part of the Southern Railroad between Clinton and Jellico. He bought a farm where the Southern Railway leaves the Clinch River going to Jellico.

John L. Offutt was the best friend of my father, Paul Bailey Francis, Sr., in high school in LaFollette, TN. He and his wife, Cora Hansel (Minton) Offutt, accompanied my parents when they eloped to Sevierville, TN, 25 February 1940, and my parents accompanied them to Sevierville to be married by the same minister on 19 June 1940. They were lifelong friends. Rest in peace.

A photograph of John L. and Hansel is on my website at:

http://www.seventyyearsinthecoalmines.org/kidsfriends2.html