John R. Graybeal
December 8, 2017
Date of Service: December 12, 2017
Interment Location: Crown Section
John R. Graybeal, 76, Hampton passed away Friday, December 8, 2017 at the Johnson City Medical Center after suffering a heart attack. He was born May 12, 1941 in Banner Elk, North Carolina, to the late Byron & Ruth Buchanan Graybeal. He grew up in Roan Mountain. He attended Cloudland High School and graduated from Georgia Military Academy, College Park, Georgia. In 1964 he graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Business Administration. John was a member of SAE Fraternity. After college John returned to work in the family business of C.R. Graybeal & Sons. He was the Vice President of Dealers Supply, Graybeal Builders, Graybeal Glass, CEO and founder of ABS (Automated Building Systems) in Johnson City, and latter owned McCloud Lumber Co. in Hampton Tn. He was a compassionate and a loving friend to many people. He was a good father, brother, and friend who will be missed by many.
John Graybeal was the ultimate lumber man: from his ability to cruise a boundary of timber, identify species of timber, to processing finished lumber for the market. From old school sawmill procedures to the modern kiln drying of lumber; he was a lumber man with vast experience and expertise.
John was a Carter County native that enjoyed his Roan Mt. heritage. He maintained a cabin for over forty years on top of Roan Mountain. He loved to fish for trout in the Doe River and enjoyed practicing marksmanship. He was an entrepreneur and employed many people in Johnson City and Carter County.
He is survived by a son: Jameson Graybeal, Johnson City. Two Sisters: Judy Shelton and Janice Stevens, of Johnson City. His Nephews: Timothy Shelton, Memphis, Tenn., Todd Shelton, Jersey City, New Jersey. His Nieces: Jamie Jones, Lynchburg, Virgina and Jessica Straight, Knoxville. He had several cousins, including a special cousin, Bob Graybeal; who was like a brother to John.
A Service to Celebrate the life of John Graybeal will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 12th in Memorial Funeral Chapel with Rev. Timothy Shelton officiating. Pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. Interment will follow in Happy Valley Memorial Park. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him and will be loved my many. Those who prefer in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Roan Mountain State Park. The family will receive friends from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday prior to the service. Condolences may be sent to the family at our web-site www.memorialfcelizabethton.com.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Graybeal family
