Irene W. Kautz

Irene Wattenbarger Kautz, age 98, went to be with her Heavenly Father on Monday, January 15, 2024. She was born at home in Meigs County, TN on August 31, 1925. Her family later moved to Knoxville where she graduated from Young High School in 1943 and from Knoxville Business College in 1945. Irene retired from Tennessee State Area Vocational-Technical School in 1990 after 22 years of service.

Irene was a beautiful, vibrant lady with an engaging smile who loved life and loved people. As one dear friend described her, she was something of a legend in South Knoxville. She knew so many people, cared about them deeply and kept up with them over the years. She was the type of person that never met a stranger and could strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere. She loved to tell stories about her rich history and colorful life and she was always so enthusiastic as she told them. She was like a walking history book, said a longtime family friend.

One of her favorite stories to tell was about her family owning and operating the Island Home Airport in South Knoxville. Her father, Frank Wattenbarger, bought the island in 1943 for farming, but shortly afterwards it became the airport for training Army Air Corps cadets to be World War II pilots. Then Irene herself joined an experimental aviation program that began on the Island Airport through the University of Tennessee. When Irene received her pilot’s license in 1946 she became one of the first women pilots in this area. In 1947 she won the Women’s Air Race that was held as part of East TN Flyers Club Air Show at McGhee Tyson Airport. Irene would work at the airport with her father, doing the bookkeeping and when she needed a break she would go out and fly her plane, doing spins and loops for fun.

Then one fine day she met the love of her life at the airport - Fred Kautz, a World War II veteran. On October 4, 1947 they were married in the main hangar of the Island Airport, with his plane, a Luscombe, parked in one corner, and her plane, a Piper Super Cruiser, parked in the other corner and the altar in between. Fred also began working at the airport and the family affair of running an every-day-dawn-to-dusk small private airport continued for many, many years.

Irene had so many loves in her life. She loved her family with all her heart and was always thrilled to join in the many gatherings and celebrations of her growing tribe. She loved her church, Island Home Baptist, which she attended faithfully since joining as a teenager and was so proud to be the oldest active lady member. She loved her neighbors and continued to be part of the traditional neighborhood parties that she and Fred started over four decades ago. She loved to socialize with friends and as a vital member of many different groups would keep everyone entertained with her stories, jokes and funny sayings. She loved her flowers, which she planted religiously in every flowerbed, every year, for as long as her health allowed. And she loved anything to do with flying, especially if it was related to "Daddy's airport" as she affectionately called the Island Airport. The airport remained a lifelong representation to her of so many precious memories shared with so many special people throughout her life, for which she was always grateful. And oh my, how the years have flown by.

Irene is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 54 years, Frederick A. Kautz; her parents, Henry Frank Wattenbarger and Mary Ellen Grubb Wattenbarger; her brother, Henry Doyle Wattenbarger; and her sister, Josephine Wattenbarger Lebrun.

Irene is survived by her large and loving family, son, Frederick A. Kautz II (Carol) of Franklin, MA; daughter, Carolyn Harrell (Donald), of Knoxville, TN; grandchildren, Catherine Kautz, Elizabeth Kautz (Bharat Gwalani), Heather Tjader (Barak), Hayley Harrell (Woody Voorhis), Hillary Quilliams (Micah), Hogan Harrell (Avy), and Hudson Harrell (Megan); great grandchildren; Judah Tjader, Annie Tjader, Lavender Quilliams, Adelaide Quilliams, Gabriel Quilliams, Clementine Quilliams (awaiting arrival), Leyton Harrell, Lochlan Harrell, Kiara Gwalani, and Ari Gwalani (awaiting arrival).

Family and friends will gather for a visitation on Friday, January 26, 2024 between the hours of 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM in the chapel of Berry Funeral Home, 3704 Chapman Hwy, Knoxville with a service to follow at 7:00 PM. Pastor Matthew Mihelic will officiate. The committal service will be private.

Special thanks to all of those who helped Irene when life became more challenging in her later years, especially Pat, Donnie, Bing, Caris Healthcare and the extraordinary staff at Deane Hill Place. You were each "one of God's angels" as Irene always said.