John Hunter Hannabass Obituary (1931 - 2008)

Born Apr 16, 1931, John Hunter Hannabass attended William Byrd High School in Vinton, VA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about John Hunter Hannabass.

Graduation Year	Class of 1948
Date of Birth	Apr 16, 1931
Date of Passing	Feb 26, 2008
About	John Hunter Hannabass, 76, of Roanoke, passed into the care of his Lord on Tuesday evening, February 26, 2008. He was born on April 16, 1931, in Vinton, Va., and was preceded in death by his parents, Henry B. and Alma Hodges Hannabass; a sister, Ella Hannabass; and an infant great-grandson, Bryce Gordon. He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Betty Joe (Nickie) Neighbors Hannabass; his sons, John H. Hannabass Jr. and wife, Judy, of Vinton, Eric L. Hannabass and wife, Laurie, of Culpeper, and Frank B. Hannabass and wife, Marie, of Salem; his daughters, Alice Worley and husband, Jeff, of Salem, and Patricia Knighton and husband, David, of Ruckersville, Va.; 21 grandchildren; four greatgrandchildren; his sisters, Jean Brooks, of Boones Mill, AnnHendrick and husband, Paul, of Vinton. His greatest love was his family and the next was the Boy Scouts of America where he was a 50 year volunteer. He has been an Assistant Scoutmaster, a Scoutmaster, committee member, committee chairman, a mentor and role model for many boys; some of whom consider him to be like a second father even into their adulthood. Among his awards for his service are the Scouter's Key, the District Award of Merit and the Silver Beaver Award. He was a Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow, Tutelo Lodge #161. In 1990, he received the George Meany Award, a union based award for recognition of outstanding service to youth. He was a union member of IUE Local #161 at General Electric Company in Salem. He retired in 1991 after more than 20 years of service. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 1, 2008, at Oakey's Vinton Chapel with the Rev. Lawrence J. Stevens and the Rev. Faith Weedling officiating. Interment will be private.