John Kenneth Garland

JOHN KENNETH “KEN” GARLAND John Kenneth “Ken/Kenny” Garland, age 72, passed away peacefully on July 20, 2019. He was born toJohn H. and Audine Taylor Garland on February 10, 1947, and was a long-time member of Laws Chapel Primitive Baptist Church in Maryville, TN. Kenny, from Everett High’s class of ‘65, went on to graduate from UT-Knoxville with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, fulfilling a newspaper reporting passion he would enjoy as a career for 35 years years in Tennessee and North Carolina His article bylines matured from “Kenny Garland” at The Daily Times in his hometown of Maryville to “Ken Garland” at The Charlotte News, Memphis Press-Scimitar and Knoxville News Sentinel. Between the latter two newspapers, Ken enjoyed a five-year run in the late 1980s as the General Manager of then Memphis State University’s The Daily Helmsman, educating students in all areas of writing for and running a student newspaper. Before retiring from the News Sentinel in 2004, Ken served as the Blount County Bureau Chief covering all aspects of reporting and photographing his favorite home county. In his retirement, Ken faithfully served his fellow citizens in need. Following his sister’s prompting, Ken started delivering meals to home-bound seniors as a volunteer for Smoky Mountain Meals on Wheels. Enjoying it so much, he continued delivering meals for over a decade, knowing he might be the only person his clients would see that day. In fact, Ken once discovered it was a female client’s 100th birthday, yet she had no one with whom to celebrate. He immediately went to buy a small cake and returned to her home with it. Sharing that little cake brought tears to both of their eyes. Additionally, Ken served on the Board of Directors for Blount County Community Action Agency for several years. And in other selfless leadership capacities, Ken, whose parents and ancestors hailed from Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, served a three-year term as President of the Cades Cove Preservation Association, and for several years on its Board of Directors. Ken was a true “Tennessee Volunteer”! Ken was preceded in death by his parents John and Audine Garland. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Sharon Douglas Garland; daughter, Heather Witte Metzger, husband Geoff and grandson Silas; sister, Libby Garland Hicks and husband Elder Clarence; several in-laws, nieces & nephews and their families; and two step-granddaughters and their families.Ken was an avid photographer, both professionally and recreationally—taking pictures to capture the moment for posterity. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, July 27, 2019 at noon at McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home in Maryville, TN. Family will receive friends there from 10 a.m. to noon. Interment will follow at 1 pm at Grandview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Ken asked that donations be made to Smoky Mountain Meals on Wheels, 3509 Tuckaleechee Pike, Maryville, TN 37803-7924, or online at www.smokymountainmow.org