Yesterday, I learned that 97 year old Knoxville icon Pappy Gube Beaver passed away on Sunday September 21, 2014. He was laid to rest yesterday September 24, 2014. Back around 1985 I would hang around WKXV Radio AM 900. I had met Frank Treece, husband of Violet Treece (she is in Glory today) father of Dwayne, Jeff and Dustin Treece. The Treece family were Cedar Ridge. Frank and Wes Waggoner had a mid day Southern Gospel radio show on WKXV.
During that time I met Pappy Gube Beaver who had a program on WKXV. When I think of growing up in Knoxville, the icons are/were J. Bazel Mull, Cas Walker, Pappy Beaver, John Sunshine Madden, Arnold Zandy. All have passed. Check this website out about Pappy Gube Beaver. It includes a link to a video from WBIR that tells Pappy’s story.
When I think of people passing, I am reminded of the quote from Adrian Rogers, former Pastor of Bellevue Baptist and Southern Baptist President. He would say, when you hear of my passing, “do not mourn for me, for I will be on the Streets of Gold, Kicking up gold dust.” So, having watched Pappy on this earth, I have no problem envisioning Pappy kicking up gold dust on the streets of Heaven.
97 years young and the distinction of having the oldest running radio program in history of radio.
The obituary from Bridges Funeral Home.
Rev. Parlan (Pappy) Beaver
Born: March 07, 1917
Died: September 21, 2014
Services: 7:00 PM Tuesday, September 23, 2014, at Bridges Funeral Home.
Visitation: 5:00-7:00 PM Tuesday, September 23, 2014, at Bridges Funeral Home.Rev. Parlan Kenneth (Pappy Gube) – age 97 of Knoxville, TN was born March 7, 1917 and went to be with the Lord on Sunday, September 21, 2014. Pappy started WKXV in 1953. He was one of the first radio ministers in the area. Recorded with Capitol Records in 1940. Performed on Cas Walker’s show for many years and the Midday Merry-Go-Round. He was Pastor at The Bible Church of God. Preceded in death by parents, Wesley and Azzie Beaver; first wife of 61 years and mother of his four children, Mildred Henderson Beaver; second wife, Aileen Willis Beaver; brothers, Tom, Jim and Mack Beaver; and sisters, Jettie Smith, Inez Smith, Artie Nolan, and Edgar Dawson. He leaves to cherish his memory daughters, Jo Ann Watson (Jack), Marilyn Bennett (Steve); sons, Eddie Beaver, and Jerry Beaver (Janie); 12 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; and 4 great great grandchildren. the family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Shannondale Health Care Center. Funeral services will be 7:00 PM Tuesday, September 23, 2014, at Bridges Funeral Home with Rev. Richard Nicely officiating. Family and friends will meet 11:45 AM Wednesday at Bookwalter Cemetery for a 12:00 Noon interment. The family will receive friends 5:00-7:00 PM Tuesday at Bridges Funeral Home, 5430 Rutledge Pike, 865-523-4999.
The photo from his obituary at Bridges Funeral Home
