Shane Jackson

Shane Jackson is asking Knox County Commission to honor the West High School men’s lacrosse team which won the TSSAA Class A state championship on May 15. Jackson is the county commissioner whose district includes West High.

This championship represents only the second ever TSSAA-sanctioned lacrosse state championship, as lacrosse was recently recognized as a state sport in Tennessee, Jackson said.

The West High team is led by head coach Chandler Klinck and assistant coaches Joseph Sandford, Ross Clark and Zeke Martinez. The team compiled a 16-3 season record. The team was founded in 2003 as the West Knox Warriors club team.

Student leaders cited by Jackson include: captains Jack Carter, Nick Ernst, Sam Jones, Zach Lopez and Reed Womack, along with seniors Gaines Asti, Jack Carter, Dane Clark, Nick Ernst, Pablo Gillespie and Reed Womack, and junior leaders Sam Jones and Zach Lopez, who helped build the foundation of West’s middle school and varsity success in the early years of TSSAA-sanctioned play. Find year-end standings here.

Gordon Gwathney

KPD Lt. Gordon Gwathney was recognized by the Knox County Board of Education by having the security office at Austin-East Magnet High School named for him.

Lt. Gwathney, a nearly 30-year KPD veteran, unexpectedly passed away in October 2025. He had served as Austin-East’s first-ever School Resource Officer from 1999-2003, according to a post by KPD. “During that time, he built countless lasting relationships and became affectionately known throughout the community as Officer G.”

Jim Thomas

Jim Thomas has returned to the University of Tennessee as interim vice president of the UT Institute for Public Service (IPS), effective October 1, 2026, on the retirement of current director Herb Byrd III. The university has launched a national search for the institute’s next permanent leader.

Thomas returns to UT following a career that included leadership roles in municipal government and the university. Prior to retiring from IPS in 2017, he served as executive director of the Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS), where he worked closely with communities across Tennessee to strengthen local government and public service delivery.

In Memoriam:

Several educators died over the last couple of weeks. One that stood out was Professor Bernard Bull of Carson-Newman University. For one thing, he missed only two C-N home football games in 51 years. Amazing. And when he was diagnosed with cancer, he opted for palliative care and posted his story on Facebook. He called it an extended “receiving of friends.” Every time a former colleague or student dropped by to visit, he took a selfie and posted it on Facebook. Also, amazing.

Georgianna Bowling

Georgianna Bowling passed away on May 23, 2026, at age 89. Mrs. Bowling devoted more than 40 years to shaping young minds as an elementary school teacher, spending much of her career teaching fourth grade at Claxton Elementary School in Anderson County. She earned her degree in elementary education and, with remarkable determination, completed her master’s degree through night classes while raising four active boys at home. She was a founding member of Christus Victor Lutheran Church where her final service was held. Obituary info here.

Shari Grooms

Shari A. Harb Grooms, 66, of Knoxville, died at her home on June 2, 2026. Shari graduated from Doyle High School and the University of Tennessee and earned a master’s degree from Tusculum University. She was a well-known teacher at Moreland Heights Elementary in Knox County. Proud of her Palestinian heritage, Shari thrived at many extended-family picnics and at Ramallah club gatherings. Services were held at Click Funeral Home, Middlebrook Chapel, on June 8. Obituary info here.

Bernard Bull

Bernard Franklin Bull, 84, will have funeral services Sunday, June 14, 2026, 3:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church Morristown with fellowship of remembering immediately following in the fellowship hall. Bernard entered Carson-Newman University in 1960 where he worked in the cafeteria for 60 cents an hour to pay his tuition. His dad died before Bernard was born and his mother took him and eight older children to work and live on the McMinn County dairy farm of her adoptive parents.

He preached his first sermon at Delano Baptist Church at age 17.

Professor Bull literally worked his way through elementary and high school with jobs at Martin Theater, Gilbert’s Drive-in Restaurant and Powell Hardware. Then, in his freshman year at Carson-Newman, he met Barbara Brown, whom he married two years later. One child and three degrees later, Bull had his doctorate. In 1972, he returned to Carson-Newman as a professor and director of student teaching. His career there extended 35 years.

He leaves Barbara, his wife of 63 years; their three children; five grandchildren and many, many friends. Obituary info here.

Lou Jones

Lou Kirby Jones, 72, died on May 30, 2026. Lou completed Holston High School in three years, completed college at UT-Knoxville in three years, obtained a master’s degree from UTK in early childhood education in 1977 and later obtained a master’s degree in information science from UTK. Mrs. Jones was the librarian at Sterchi School for 18 years and was Teacher of the Year there in 2013. At her request, there was a private service for family. Obituary info here.

Barry Liles

Coach Barry Lynn Liles, 64, of New Tazewell, Tennessee, passed on June 1, 2026. Coach Liles’ life will be remembered through his 35 years on the track and football field. His coaching career spanned across these schools: AC Reynolds Schools, Robbinsville High School, Tellico Plains High School, Lenoir City High School, Morristown East High School, Claiborne High School and Grainger High School. Additionally, Barry was a UT track official where he served for 25 years. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, June 14, 2026, from 3-5 p.m. with a service to follow at Claiborne High School multipurpose room. The family invites all who knew him to attend to celebrate Barry’s dedication to family, faith and the community. Obituary info here.

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