OBITS: RENFRO, John E. - 25 Sep 2000 - Whitley Co, KY
Date: Sat, 7 Oct 2000 17:25:24 -0400
Submitted by: Bobbie Ivey-Lewallen (TNGirl@icx.net)

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FROM THE NEWS-JOURNAL, CORBIN, KY, 10/5/00, PART 2

Dr. John E. Renfro, former Cumberland College professor and local
businessman died on Monday, September 25, 2000 at Baptist Regional Medical
Center. He was 71.

Dr. Renfro taught at Cumberland College for 25 years until his
retirement in 1985. While at the College, he was athletic director and head
basketball coach for 10 years. During his coaching tenure, he was selected
KIAC coach of the year in 1968 and NAIA Coach of the Year in 1968.

In 1969, John returned to the University of Alabama where he received
his Doctorate in Education in 1970. He returned to Cumberland and
implemented the first Department of Health which offered Bachelors degrees
in Health Education and Public Health.

In addition to his coaching and teaching, he was active in the
Kentucky Association of Health, Physical Education and Recreation and the
National Association of Health, Physical Education and Recreation.

In 1998, Dr. Renfro was inducted into the Cumberland College Hall of
Fame and the Williamsburg High School Alumni Hall of Fame.

In addition to his contributions to the field of education, John
continued the family business, Renfro Supply Company, which was started by
his father Simon L. Renfro in 1922. After his retirement from Cumberland
College, he became president of the company and continued to manage and
expand the company throughout the rest of his life.

Outside the classroom and the Renfro Supply Company, Dr. Renfro made
significant contributions to his local church and community. He was a member
of the Williamsburg Optimist Club where he served one year as local
president and one year as vice-president of Optimist International. He was a
member of the Williamsburg United Methodist Church.

Dr. Renfro is preceded in death by his son, John Edwin Renfro, II. He is 
survived by his wife, Bernice; a daughter and son-in-law, Rhonda
and George Naumann of Williamsburg; two grandsons, Dustin and Chris; and one
granddaughter, Rianna Renfro. He is also survived by a brother, Dr. Norman
Renfro of Corpus Christi, Texas.

Services were held Thursday, September 28 at the Williamsburg United
Methodist Church. Burial was in the Highland Park Cemetery. Pallbearers were 
Alvin Sharpe, Paul Falin, Henry Morgan, Mike Owens,
Dustin and Chris Naumann, Joe Butcher, Jim Rollins, Ronnie Renfro and Tom
Shelley. Honorary pallbears were the Employees of Renfro Supply Company and 
Dr. Abdi Vaezy. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made 
to the Williamsburg United Methodist Church Building Fund on South Fifth Street 
in Williamsburg. Croley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.