Anthony Gordon Rust

Anthony Gordon Rust, age 61 of Maryville, passed away Monday, March 9, 2015 at Blount Memorial Hospital. He was born in Vancouver, WA on April 12, 1953. He attended the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville and the State Technical Institute at Knoxville. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Maryville and formerly active in the Blount County Sister City Organization. In his varied career, he worked as a musician, carpenter, electrician, building contractor, AutoCAD designer in the automotive industry, and property master at HGTV. He loved music and mountains, animals and art, woodworking and chess and trucks. He was an enthusiastic four-wheeler who enjoyed everything related to automotive mechanics and design. Above all, he was a loving and much loved husband, son, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ambrose Ganaway and Virginia Alexander Rust; son, Matthew Aaron Rust; his mother-in-law, Martha Humber Porter; and daughter-in-law, Jennifer Ottlinger Rust. His survivors include his wife, Melinda Porter Rust of Maryville; son and daughter-in-law, Andrew Byron and Erin Phillippi Rust; grandson, Jacob Aaron Rust; granddaughter, Magdalene Jane Rust, all of Chattanooga; sister, Claudia L. Rust, of Maryville; sister and brother-in-law, Virginia L. and John E. Bleazey of Maryville; sister and brother-in-law, Monica L. and The Rev. Douglas M. Ogden of Whitehall, MI; aunt, Elizabeth Alexander of Menlo Park, CA; father-in-law, Edwin James Porter of Maryville; sister-in-law, Mary Martha Porter of Maryville; brother-in-law and wife, James Humber and Nancy Bostock Porter of Nashville; special relatives, The Rev. Dick and Patti Richards of Alcoa, and Dr. Julia, Adrian, and Adie Van Zyl of Knoxville; special cousins and friends, Leonard and Tommie Cox of Knoxville; special friends, The Rev. John and Brenda Randolph of Maryville; Sarah Mate of Maryville; Alan and Elisa Barr of Louisville; numerous beloved nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. The family wishes to express heartfelt gratitude to the countless healthcare providers and friends throughout the community who supported Anthony during his illness. A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Maryville on Saturday, March 28, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. with The Rev. Catherine Nance officiating. Receiving of friends will follow in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Maryville Music Fund, 804 Montvale Station Road, Maryville, TN 37803, or to the animal welfare organization of your choice.