John Graham Hemmeter Sr.

Hemmeter, John Graham Sr., age 86 of Knoxville passed away on Sunday, October 24, 2021, after a brief illness. Graham loved golfing, fishing, and traveling, and he was known to be a fearsome strategist in gin rummy. His greatest joy was time spent in the Great Smoky Mountains with family and friends. After retiring from fifty-plus years in the food service industry, Graham and his beloved wife Barbara split their time between Knoxville and their cabin in Townsend.

Graham was preceded in death by his parents, Lester Allen and Mary Graham Hemmeter; and his son, John Graham Hemmeter, Jr. He is survived by his wife, of 37 years, Barbara Hemmeter; daughter, Mary Louise Hemmeter of Nashville; stepdaughters, Sherrie Smith Armstrong (John Cook), Missy Smith Thomas (J.T.) and Anne Smith Daggett (Kevin); grandchildren, Jayce Beeler, Cody Beeler, and Campbell Daggett; and great-granddaughter, Lily James Reda. He is also survived by his cousin, Ann Graham and her sons, Chip, David, and Jeff, and a host of good friends.

Graveside services will be held on Sunday, November 7th at 3:00 pm at Lynnhurst Cemetery with Dr. William Barron officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made to Autism Breakthrough of Knoxville, 900 E. Hill Ave, Suite 145, Knoxville 37915; Hope for Tomorrow Children’s Home (hope4tomorrow.net), 1367 Glensboro Road, Lawrenceburg, KY 40342 or the charity of your choice.