Donald Keith Kyle

On Thursday, October 20, 2016, Donald Keith Kyle, of Lenoir City, at age 83, escaped the shackles of his earthly body and went to be with his heavenly Father, Lord, and Savior. Born on April 21, 1933, in Monroe County, he was the third son of Lena Manis and Sam Kyle, and one of seven children. Attending Vonore High School, he was elected president of his class and named captain of the football team. On the gridiron he gained renown as a dominant fullback, blasting his way over opponents to the end zone. Graduating in 1953, he served two years in the army before marrying his high school sweetheart, Virginia Rose Chambers, on August 29, 1955. Their first daughter, Donna Sue, arrived in 1957, and three years later, they bought their one and only home on Loudon Ridge Road, in Lenoir City. Between 1965 and 1970, three more daughters were born, Elizabeth Gail, Rebecca Lynn, and Kelly Ann. Hired at Alcoa Aluminum Company, Don began working grave yard and swing shifts to support his family. As a mechanical crafts specialist, he helped keep the posts going and the line moving, exposing him to extreme conditions that were a daily danger. He persisted and endured despite chronic physical ailments and wound up retiring from Alcoa after 25 years. A servant of God, Don was a member of Vaughn Chapel Baptist Church; he loved reading his bible and studying the scriptures, especially in the hushed quiet of an early Sunday morning. An avid outdoorsman, Don spent his spare time hunting and fishing, finding particular pleasure in the East Tennessee lakes and surrounding areas. Throughout his life, he traveled across the United States, always awed by the nation’s beauty and grandeur and grateful for the opportunity to see it firsthand. With a strong sense of duty and a commitment to being a Christian, Don loved and cared for his family, his country, and his fellow man. The world will be less without him. Don is preceded in death by his siblings, George, Jack and Janice; brother-in-law, Dale Williams; and his dear friends, Jack Kennedy and Glyn Wade; He is survived by his wife, Virginia Rose Chambers Kyle; four daughters, Donna (Steve) Kiser, Elizabeth (Dickie) Brown, Rebecca (Dale) Owens, and Kelly (Lee) Hannah; his seven grandchildren, Samuel Kiser, Stephanie Cook, Aaron Brown, Matt Brown, Lori Brown, David Hannah, and Marc Hannah; three great grandchildren, Canaan, Silas and EllieRose Cook; and siblings, Carolyn Williams, Glenda (Daniel) Draper, and Kay Kyle, of Maryville. The family will receive friends 1:00-2:30, Sunday, at Loudon Funeral Home, with the funeral service at 2:30. Rev. Adam Cook will be officiating. Interment at Vonore Baptist Church Cemetery. Loudon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. www.loudonfuneralhome.net