Wallace "Dwight" Kessel

Kessel, Wallace “Dwight” – former Knox County Executive, passed away on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at the age of 96. He was a long time member of First Baptist Church, Knoxville where he was a deacon and taught Sunday school for many years. Dwight was born in Dehue, West Virginia to Wayne and Edith Kessel and spent most of his childhood in Beckley, WV. He began college at Duke University and then transferred to the US Naval Academy in Annapolis. After serving in the Navy during WWII he came back south and graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Industrial Engineering. During his time at UT he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. After several years in the field of engineering Dwight entered the business world as a purchasing agent for Chapman Wholesale Drugs, a family business. He then felt the call to serve his community as an elected official. Dwight held several offices which culminated with his tenure as the County Executive (what is now called County Mayor). He sat on the boards of many local business as chairman of some and was an entrepreneur at heart having owned and participated in many companies specializing in real estate, technology, and banking. The list of community organizations Dwight served with is extensive and the awards he received for his service is outstanding, many of which were from the University of Tennessee. One that he was particularly proud of was being named as an outstanding Industrial Engineer Alumni. Dwight was also proud of being a member of the Kiwanis Club for almost 70 years. In spite of serving his community with unprecedented vigor, Dwight’s true passion was his family. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and a friend to many. Dwight was preceded in the death by his parents, and his sister, Dorothy Calderwood. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Gloria Kessel; children, Edgar (Jane Manning) Kessel, Karen Kessel (Jack) Nelson; grandchildren, Matthew (Leigh) Avery, Kathryn (Spencer) Frantom; great grandchildren, Kess, Hayes, Field, Hutch Avery, and Gray Frantom; and many special cousins, nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Friday at 6:00 pm at Rose Funeral and Cremation – Mann. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 4:00 – 6:00 pm at the funeral home. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Dwight’s name may be made to either the Interfaith Health Clinic, 315 Gill Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917, or First Baptist Church of Knoxville, 510 W. Main Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. The family would like to thank all of those who supported and helped Dwight through the years. One of his favorite sayings was “The Lord has been good to me.” Online condolences may be made at www.rosefuneraltn.com

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Wallace "Dwight" Kessel

November 27, 1926 - June 3, 2023