James Robert Dishner

James Robert Dishner, 74, of Johnson City, passed away Saturday, August 29. Jim was a lifelong resident of the Boones Creek community. He was preceded in death by his parents, George Robert and Georga Palmer Dishner, his sister, Mary Frances Sanders Tench as well as an infant grandson, James Carter Dishner. Jim graduated from Boones Creek High School in 1959. He had a 37 year career with Eastman Chemical Co. ?Big Jim', as he was known by many, was actively involved in his children?s lives, whether it was coaching, providing leadership or offering unfailing support. Over the years, Jim restored many classic cars, his favorite being a 1929 Model A Ford. Friends will remember Big Jim from square dancing, Model A Club, and Johnson City Cardinals games. Jim was an active member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, the Open Door Sunday School class and was instrumental in organizing two United Methodist Men?s organizations. Following retirement, Jim became involved in several ministries that helped incarcerated individuals reenter society. ?Big Jim' will be remembered as a loving husband, great father and tremendous Papaw. His joy came from his weekly Prayer and Share Group, helping others, talking cars and happy hour at Sonic with his grandkids. Survivors include his wife, Linda Johnson Dishner; three children, Dianna Cantler and husband Bob, Andy Dishner and wife Beth, and Philip Dishner and wife Tracy; eight grandchildren, Palmer and Quentin Cantler, Madison, Alexa and Gaines Dishner and Blakley, Presley and Nash Dishner. Several nieces and nephews. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Kairos Northeast TN Ministry, PO Box 5206, JC, TN 37602 or Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church Choir. The family of Jim Dishner will receive friends from 4 to 7 PM Tuesday, September 1, 2015, at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 225 Princeton Road. The funeral service will follow at 7:30 pm with Gerald Casson and James Pollock, officiating. The graveside committal service will be conducted at 10 am Wednesday, in Tri Cities Memory Gardens. Active pallbearers will be Quentin Cantler, Jeff Carroll, Monroe Ellis, Dennis Mansfield, Mike Ponder, Jason Roth and Ron Shelton. Honorary pallbearers will be the Prayer and Share group, Steve Castle, Lynn Castle and Dante Buchanan. Ministers, family and friends are requested to meet at Morris-Baker by 9:15 AM Wednesday to go in procession to the cemetery.