Tony Mines

Eras Anthony “Tony “ Mines died peacefully at home on Sunday morning, October 13 after a valiant battle against acute myeloid leukemia. He was born on 22 June, 1948 in Winchester, Tennessee to Kenneth Dowell Mines and Flora Lille Mae Farmer Mines. He is survived by his beloved wife, Linda Moss Mines, a son, Jason Anthony Mines and a daughter, Jessica Eras [Raz] Mines Dumitru and her husband, Michael Dumitru; and four grandchildren, Sarah Claire Mines, Jason Anthony Mines, Jr., Noah James Amos Dumitru and Lorelei Eras Dumitru. He was preceded in death by his parents, his maternal grandparents, Jessie Eras and Mary Anna Akin Farmer, his paternal grandparents, Maurice Cleveland and Fronia Virginia Adcock Mines and three brothers, Kenneth, Ellsworth and Ronnie Mines.

Mines was a graduate of Chattanooga High School, Class of 1967 and attended East Tennessee State University. In 1968, inspired by his family’s tradition of military service to our nation, Mines volunteered for service in the United States Army, completed his basic training at Fort Bragg, N.C., AIT at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md. and NCO School in Ordinance, prior to his deployment to the Republic of South Vietnam. Upon his arrival in the Mekong Delta region, he was advanced to E5 Sergeant, Ninth Infantry, 709 Service and Evacuation Unit, where he served his tour of duty. When Mines returned to the United States, he was stationed at Fort Knox in a Service and Evacuation Unit before becoming battalion career counselor, serving with commendations.

Upon completing his three-year service, he returned to Chattanooga and in 1973, he opened Art Creations, currently headquartered at 201 Frazier Ave., in the same building where he had worked during his Chattanooga High School days with George Little. His children, Jason and Jessica, assumed leadership of Art Creations upon his hospitalization last December, comforting him that his legacy would continue. Some of his greatest joy came from working with professional and amateur artists, art teachers and the thousands of art students he counseled.

Through the years, Mines was active in the Hamilton County civic community as a member of the Chattanooga Jaycees, President of the East Ridge Jaycees, Chairman of the East Ridge Council of the Chamber of Commerce, Board Member of the Chattanooga Chamber, Chairman of the Hamilton County Young Republicans, Treasurer of the Tennessee Young Republicans, Hamilton County Chairman of the Reagan-Bush Campaign, Chairman of the East Ridge Merchants Association, Board of Trustees, Moccasin Bend Hospital, member of the Northshore Merchants Association, member of the Chattanooga Public Arts Committee and many other service groups.

He served as the Southeast U. S. National Board Member and Secretary to the Board of the National Picture Framers’ Association, also having served as National Vice-Chair of the Public Relations and Marketing Council.

Mines was currently serving as the President of the National Art Materials Trade Association [NAMTA], an Advisory Board member for the Charles H. Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center and an elder at Lookout Valley Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the John Sevier Chapter, National Society Sons of the American Revolution, the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter # 203 and the Disabled Veterans of America, Robert Loveday Memorial Chapter, # 6.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Chattanooga Funeral Home, S. Moore Road. Visitation will occur from 3-8 pm on Tuesday, October 15 and for one hour prior to the funeral at 11 AM Wednesday in the Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be conducted by Grady Davidson, Pastor of Lookout Valley Presbyterian with assistance from George Woodruff, Chaplain of VVA, Chapter # 203 with burial at the Chattanooga National Cemetery. The Honor Guard of VVA # 203 will serve as pallbearers with special escorts including Ray Adkins, Charlie Hobbs, Bill Norton, Bud Alley and John Bennett.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Charles H. Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center, the Erlanger Health Systems Foundation or Lookout Valley Presbyterian Church, Family Center Building Fund. The family would like to thank the faithful friends who provided love and support during his almost one-year hospitalization and acknowledge the sustaining love and faithfulness of our eternal Father. To God be the praise.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEast Chapel.com.