James Dye

August 13, 1928 – August 26, 2026

James Dye, 98, of Mosheim passed away Wednesday at Greeneville Community Hospital.

As a student at the University of Alabama, he met and married his wife of 71 years (February 4, 1950). After a tour of duty in Korea, he became one of the Alabama Rocket Boys, working first at Thiokol Chemical Corporation at Red Stone Arsenal and then for Moore-Handley in Birmingham, Alabama, and Knoxville, Tennessee. In 1969 the family moved to Greeneville, where he worked for Quality Machine Tools. He later acquired Superior Metal Products and founded LectroChem Metal Finishing. He was a devoted family man, a hardworking businessman, and, in his spare time, a farmer. An avid reader, particularly of history, he was also a gifted storyteller, with a rich history of his own to draw upon.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Montie Blakeney (May 31, 2021); by his parents Ira V. and Susie Elizabeth Dye; and by his brothers Lloyd T. Dye, Kenneth Wayne Dye, and Charles Boyd Dye.

Survivors include his children: Julia (Steven) Hensley, Pamela (Michael) Doty, Linda (Johnny) Smith, Celia (Andy) Smith, and James (Jeffrey Davis) Dye, Jr.; grandchildren: Atticus (Caroline) Hensley, Leila (Dave) Jackson, John Smith, Benjamin Hensley, Erin (Steve) Schultz, Geoffrey (Liv) Pratt, Isaac (Christy) Doty, Ira Pratt, Sarah Lister, and Rachel (Devon Morrissey) Lister; great-grandchildren: Stephanie Hensley, Maren Jackson, Sam Schultz, Evelyn Fox, Zetta Schultz, Louisa Jackson, Andrew Doty, Patrick Doty, and Keziah Smith.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, Disabled Veterans, or Dolly's Imagination Library.

Funeral arrangements pending. Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.