Robert R. (B.R., Bob) Sullivan

Robert R. (B.R., Bob) Sullivan, born June 1, 1931 in Maryville, TN, died Friday, August 24, 2018. He graduated from Everett High School, attended Maryville College, where he played Football and Basketball. He graduated from the University of Tennessee with a B.S. Degree in Finance. He was a United States Navy Korean War Veteran serving as a Sonar man Petty Officer aboard the USS Shea (DM-30). He began his banking career in 1954 with the Bank of America in Los Angeles, CA. After returning to East Tennessee he worked at the Tennessee Valley Bank of Knoxville. He joined First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Maryville in 1956. In 1976, he was made President and C.E.O. and a member of the Board of Directors. He served in this capacity until his retirement in December 1994. During this time he was instrumental in changing the face of downtown Maryville by initiating the construction of the five story expansion of the First Federal Building on lower Broadway, now known as the Ruby Tuesday building. He served on the Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati, served on the Advisory Committee of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, and was a past member of the Board of Directors of the Tennessee League of Savings Institutions and in 1984 served as Chairman. He served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Better Business Bureau of Greater Knoxville, was a Life member of the Disabled American Veterans, a life member of the National Association of Atomic Veterans and a member of American Legion Post #13, since 1960. He was a 42 year member of the Maryville Alcoa Civitan Club, served as President in 1962, and that year they won the Founders Trophy of Civitan International. He served on the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce, chairing various committee during this time. He served two consecutive terms as Chairman of the Maryville College Community Campaign. He was a member of Saint Andrews Episcopal Church where he served as a member of the Vestry and was Senior Warden in 1971-1972. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marie Dugas Sullivan; parents, Elmer Houston, Sr. and Carrie Ellen Bell Sullivan; brother, Elmer Houston Sullivan, Jr. Survivors include his daughters and sons-in-law, Annette Sullivan Lekes and Jon Lekes of Maryville, Melissa Sullivan Carl and Gary Carl of Kingsport; son and daughter-in-law, Mitchell and Amy Sullivan of Maryville; grandchildren, Seth Law, Cameron Law, Kristen Carl, Erin Carl, Corinne Sullivan, Patrick Sullivan (his buddy), Kelsi Lane, Abby Lane, Emily Lane, Madison, Chandler and Carson Lekes; great granddaughter, Zoey Law. Family and friends will meet at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, August 26, at Grandview Mausoleum for the entombment service with Rev. John Dukes and Rev. Robert Beasley officiating. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a memorial to St. Andrews Episcopal Church Grace Point Camp Scholarship Fund, 314 W. Broadway Avenue, Maryville, TN 37801