Dr. John Franklin Love II

Dr. John Franklin Love II, 77 years old, passed from this life on August 31, 2022 in Knoxville, TN surrounded by his family and close friends. He was born on September 27, 1944 and was the son of Robert Elmer Christenberry Love and Ola Kale Love. He was the youngest of 3 children and brother to Kay Solomon (Bill) and Jean Merwin (Bill). He was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters. John started dating the love of his life, Judy Pless Love when he was 16 years old and they married 4 years later. After 57 years as husband and wife, they have shared too many adventures, hugs, smiles and laughs to count. He was a wonderful dad to daughter, Debra and Kevin Perrigan and son, Mark and Deidra Love, and he loved spending time with his grandchildren: Jake, Emma, Hannah, Jonathan, Lydia and Maleyah. He was a loving uncle to Sandy Solomon (Lou), Julie Haldane (Jon), Missy Solomon, Bill Merwin (Mary Frances), Richard Merwin (Monica), and Jan Lanier (Greg) as well as many wonderful great nieces and nephews. He always knew that he wanted to be a dentist from a young age and became the youngest person to have graduated from the University of Tennessee, Memphis Dental School at 22. He served as a Captain in the Air Force and would go on to have a wonderful career as a dentist in Knoxville. Those who worked with John were not just employees, but friends. Apart from his wife and his family, John’s great passion in life was knowing and following Jesus Christ and being a vital part of a local church. After serving in many different roles in the community and in his church, he found his most fulfilling calling in helping start multiple church plants all over the country, including Journey Church, Chattanooga planted by his son where he and Judy actively participated for several years. John served as a deacon and in many other roles at FBC Concord, as an elder at Journey Church and was an active member of First Baptist Church, Lenoir City. He leaves behind a legacy of a family who loved him dearly and each other and who are also passionate about following Jesus and serving in local ministries. The family will receive friends and family at First Baptist Church, Lenoir City on Saturday, September 17th at 11:00am. Pastors Mark Love and Dick DeMerchant will preside over a Celebration of Life Service at 1:00pm. If you would like to honor John’s life and memory, the family would love for you to give a generous gift to your own local church’s mission fund in lieu of flowers.

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Dr. John Franklin Love II

September 27, 1944 - August 31, 2022