ARNOLD MELLINGER
ARNOLD MELLINGER Glade Springs, VA- Arnold Mellinger, 82, went to be with the Lord on June 13th, 2017 following a courageous battle with cancer. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and coach. Of all his accomplishments, he was most proud of his large family. He was born in Sevierville, TN to the late Evert and Lyda Chambers Mellinger. He was a graduate of Karns High School, Knoxville, TN; Carson Newman University, and earned a MS Degree from Radford College. He was a four year starter, as a 6’3″ center at Carson Newman and at the end of his senior year he was honored (still to this date) with the only retired basketball jersey in the history of the school. He was also a member of the Team of the Century and the Carson Newman Hall of Fame. Arnold coached basketball for a total 40 years at Halls High School in Knoxville along with coaching in the state of Virginia at Chilhowie High School, Emory & Henry College and Patrick Henry High School. At various times, he also coached baseball, track, and football. He also served during his lengthy tenure as Athletic Director and coached women’s softball for a brief period at Union College in Kentucky. Among the many past times he enjoyed were working on the family farm, gardening, traveling, camping, woodworking, collecting and restoring antique furniture, and collecting artifacts that were once used by early farmers. He was a faithful member of Joy Baptist Church, Glade Spring. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Ronald; a grandson, Joseph E. Newton; great-granddaughter, Kayleigh Paige Duncan.
Arnold Mellinger is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Dr. Temple Foust Mellinger; his sons, Stephen (Susan) Mellinger and James (Laura) Mellinger; his daughters, Deborah (Rob) Woodbury and Pam (Dale) Williams, Monique Duncan, and Martha (Mark) Powers; grandchildren, Jeremiah (Cristen) Newton, Jarred (Diane) Newton, Jessica (Bryan) Williams McAllister, Kendall Willams, Grayson Williams, Blake (Amy) Mellinger, Brittany (Justin) Mellinger Harris, Callie Mellinger, Jasper Stephen Mellinger, Derek (Rachel) Lester, Drew Lester and fiancé, Nina, J. T. Duncan and special friend, Samantha; He is also survived by ten great- grandchildren; three step-great grandchildren; a sister, Phyllis Mellinger along with several nieces and nephews. Arnold also leaves behind many special friends and former basketball players, whom he considered a part of his family.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Home Health nurse, Tracy Yarber, Wellmont Hospice nurses, and the doctors and nurses at the Wellmont Cancer and Infusion Centers, who took such good care of him during his illness.
The family will receive friends Friday, June 16, 2017 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Joy Baptist Church, Glade Spring. A funeral service will be conducted at the church at 7 p.m. with Pastor Jay Overbay, officiating. A graveside service will be conducted on Saturday, June 17th, at 11 a.m. at the Mellinger Cemetery, located on the family farm. Pallbearers will be Bob Atwood, Jeff Gobble, Bob Hicks, Brian Johnson, Kenneth Watson and Tony Byrd. Honorary Pallbearers will be Herbert Chambers, Allen Jones, Larry Thomas, Mike Gill, Baker Testerman, Benny Stewart, and former basketball players. Friends will meet at Arnold’s home on Saturday at 10:45 a.m. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Joy Baptist Church Building Fund, Glade Spring, VA, or the Carson Newman University Men’s Basketball Program, Jefferson City, TN, c/o Coach Chuck Benson. You can send an online condolence to the family by visiting www.cartertrent.com. Carter-Trent Funeral Home, Kingsport is serving the Mellinger family.
