James Grayson McCoin

McCoin, James Grayson, Lt. Col. USAF, Retired, born June 13, 1931, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to the late John Cordell and Almeda Grayson McCoin, passed away Thursday morning, June 28, 2012. He was a graduate of the University of Tennessee in 1954 receiving his U.S. Air Force commission. He was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity and Phi Beta Phi academic honorary fraternity. He served 24 years as a regular officer and was made honorary member of the U.S. Army 25th Infantry Division for his outstanding performance as Operations Officer in Operation Bluelight by which an entire brigade task force of the 25th Infantry Division was airlifted from Hawaii to Pleiku, Republic of Vietnam. He was stationed at Bein Hoa, Vietnam during the Tet Offensives and received the Bronze Star, served as Logistics Officer in the return of the Vietnam POWs. He has his MBA from Webster University and Specialists in Education from the University of Tennessee. He was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church, Magna Carter Barons, Sons of the Revolution, First Families of Tennessee, & Bearden Lions Club. Returning to Knoxville 1978, he taught at Pellissippi College, served as Director of Purchasing and Personnel for Knox County, and in 1985 became the Purchasing Director in Charleston County, SC. He was proceeded in death by his parents and sister, Johnnie McCoin Stone. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, and children, Nancy Breeding (David), Sarah McCoin (Dennis Cook), and John McCoin (Yvonne). Grandchildren: Sarah Schnute (Kevin), Matthew Breeding (Katherine), Kathryn Dreiling (Ryan), Samantha McCoin, and Daniel McCoin. Great grandchildren: Ryan II, Grayson, and Jaxson Dreiling. Funeral service will be held 2:00 PM Saturday at St. John's Episcopal Cathedral with The Reverend Thom Rasnick officiating. Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John's Cathedral, PO Box #153, Knoxville, TN 37901 or the Thompson Cancer Survival Center, 1915 White Ave. Knoxville, TN 37916. Online condolences may be sent to www.rosemortuary.com. The family will receive friends following the service in the Great Hall. Arrangements provided by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel.

Tributes

James Grayson McCoin

June 13, 1931 - June 28, 2012