Werner H. (King) Midas

Werner H. (King) Midas, age 94 of Maryville, died May 18, 2011. Born on January 19, 1917 in Nuremberg, Germany, he fled to Switzerland in 1934 to escape Nazi persecution. Graduating there from Stavia Institute in 1936 he later settled in New York City and graduated from City College of New York in 1939. He ultimately became an American citizen and during World War II served as an interpreter for the U. S. Army interrogating German prisoners of war. After the war, he settled in Knoxville and married Hannah Jane Russell. He was known in downtown Knoxville for many years selling life insurance for Liberty National Life until his retirement in 1976. Many of his clients were employed by the Knoxville News-Sentinel and the Knoxville Fire Department. He also served for 12 years on the Knox County Court as a squire. He was preceded in death by parents, Fritz and Else Midas; sister, Lotte Heusinger; wife, Hannah (Russell) Midas and daughter, Amelia (Amy) Midas Tyler. He is survived by sons, Werner Harold Midas, Paul Gerald Midas, David Russell Midas; grandchildren, Ian Tyler, Erik (Brianna) Midas, Kaitlin Midas and great-grandchild, Jillenna Midas. The family will receive friends on Friday, May 20, from 6-8:00 p.m. at McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home in Maryville. A Celebration of Life service at St. James Episcopal Church on N. Broadway, Knoxville at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 22, with Rev. Al Minor officiating. Graveside service to follow at Highland Memorial Cemetery. McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home, Maryville 982-6812 www.mccammonammonsclick.com