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- [S99] Farrar Funeral Home, (http://www.farrarfuneralhome.com), 12 Mar 2008.
Dorothy Lucille (Bible) Hall obituary
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 19 Apr 2009.
Just Plain Talk - Thirteen years proves lucky for ring owner
I came across this story weeks ago and because of its interest level kept it on my mind until revealing to you. My associates in Boone, N.C., where Jones Media Inc. owns newspapers were trying to help with a photo but that was taken care of by Ken Hall, of People's Barber Shop off McMahan. How we lose things and find them after many years has always intrigued me. Is it coincidence or something else? Those who know the veteran barber may also know that his son-in-law, Dale Jones, is a long-time coach at Appalachian State. Incidentally, you read that Newport's Houston Fancher has left that college but Ken thinks he has good opportunities to stay in the area and utilize his skills. Jones, who is about 46, was on the 1986 UT Vols football team when it played in the Sugar Bowl. The Vols came home tanned and Miami had a bad burn, 35-7 and that meant an SEC ring for Jones and his teammates. He was a great outside linebacker and ultimately made the 100-Year Vol Team. Dale was also SEC Player of the Year. The valuable, unique ring went missing 13 years ago and Dale probably long ago forgot it. Then, Ken got a call at the end of 2008 from Monty Dover, of Newport. Dover works at Wallace Hardware near White Pine and jut happened to be chatting with a security guard at Wallace. And this is the singular moment when the guard happened to show to Dover his SEC ring. Well, not his, he bought it for $50 at the White Pine Flea Market. Inscribed in the ring is the name, Dale Jones. And, as fate would have it, Dover knew the name and connection to Ken Hall and made the call. Ken positively identified the ring as the lost 1986 SEC ring. The guard, whose name Ken forgot, lives at Carson Springs and was glad to get it back to the family around New Year's Day. Dale's birthday was March 8, so the return of the ring came just in time. "This is your birthday present," said Ken, "It tickled him to death." It so happens this is Dale's 13th upcoming season as a football special teams and linebacker coach. He and Appalachian State have been successful defending their turf in the rugged mountains around Boone. Ken thinks he is lucky to be married to Ken and Georgia's (Rader) daughter, Donna, who at 40 is in superb physical condition. She was attending UT Knoxville serving as a Vol hostess and met Dale, who was a graduate advisor in the mid 1980s. They were married; he went on to play professional ball for about four years with the Dallas Cowboys. Donna is a successful sales rep. who travels the country less these days but is still with Hospitality Mints. And the golden circle is complete with their daughter, Brooke Jones, who turned five on March 7. "I think it was amazing after 13 years that the ring was found," said Ken. The ring was lost in Cleveland where Dale is originally from. And that's the story told to me on a quiet day at the barbershop last week.
In plain talk, the world of missing things apparently is not too far removed from the world of those who suffer loss.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 7 Nov 2009.
Mr. Clyde Rader obituary
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