Ralph V. Gwinn

GWINN, RALPH V. - After a full life of 91 years, Ralph passed away on Monday, November 14, 2011. He was a lifelong resident of Knoxville and a graduate of Knoxville High School, Class of 1937. Ralph was a veteran of WWII where he received his wings as a fighter pilot from the Army Air Corps; he was also trained as a flight instructor. For several years, Ralph was a department manager at Woodruff's in downtown Knoxville; he later had a long career in sales with Graybar Electric, winning numerous awards for his sales achievements. After retirement from Graybar, he found a way to combine his sales abilities with his love of music by selling pianos at Heritage Music. Ralph and Dot both studied voice with Leila Leslie, starting both their relationship together and Ralph's life-long musical career. He had a rich baritone voice and was a soloist in many area churches, as well as serving as Choir Director for both St. Andrews United Methodist and Washington Pike United Methodist churches. Ralph was a featured soloist with the James King Chorus and a charter member of the Knoxville Choral Society. He was a natural musician with the rare ability to hear a song then sit down at a piano and play it. He was the eldest son of Basil and Grace Gwinn who preceded him in death along with his brothers, Lawrence Gwinn, Charles Gwinn, Ernest Gwinn; sister Doris Gwinn Ray; brother in-law Robert Ray; and daughter Susan Gwinn Hinton. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Dorothy (Dot) Gwinn; daughter Marti Gwinn of Kingsport; son-in-law Richard (Dick) Hinton, and wife Margaret (Maggie) Hinton; granddaughters Elizabeth Gwinn Hinton and Sarah Grace Hinton, all of Knoxville; sisters-in- law Estella Gwinn of Dallas, TX and Mary Ruth Gwinn; brother in-law Glen W. Carver; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. The family will receive friends Thursday from 2:00 - 3:00 pm at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel followed by a 3:00 pm memorial service with Dr. Pat Polis and Dr. James Bailes officiating. Family and friends will meet Friday at Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery Lyons View Pike for a 9:30 am graveside service with Military Honors presented by Tennessee National Guard. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the local chapter of the American Lung Association http://www.lungusa.org/ or a gift in Ralph's memory to the Washington Pike United Methodist Church music ministry, 2241 Washington Pike Knoxville, TN 37917 Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel. Online condolences at www.rosemortuary.com

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Ralph V. Gwinn

November 14, 2011