John Rufus Arnwine

John Rufus Arnwine , age 75, of Niota, Tennessee, departed this life on Friday, June 11, 2021. He was born on July 10, 1945 in Athens, TN, to the late Ray Arnwine and Eleice Mason Arnwine. He was preceded in death by his wife Shirley Amos Arnwine and brother, Jim Arnwine.

John was a McMinn Co High graduate of 1963. While attending both grammar and high school he worked on the family dairy farm with his two sisters and two brothers. He was selected as Mr MCHS in 1963 and lettered on the football team. After school he married Shirley Amos of Etowah on August 26, 1965. He enjoyed a 42 year career with the railroad, spending the majority of that time as a locomotive engineer. While working as an engineer he also supported the family dairy farm and participated in community events.

He embodied and valued the traditional “ hard work” as a measure of life. He instilled the virtue of never giving up and standing up for what you believe is right. He bleed orange as a diehard Tennessee Football & Basketball fan! His two sons recognize the hard lessons that embodied the love that is the foundation they used to build their own families. John Arnwine fostered a home filled with love and support. He was an outstanding husband, father, brother, grandfather, neighbor, and friend.

He is survived by children, John and Cindy Arnwine of Union, Ky; Preston and Lynn Arnwine of Knoxville, TN; eight grandchildren, Josh Arnwine of Lexington KY, Matthew & Caitlin Arnwine of Salt Lake City UT, Grant Arnwine of Cincinnati OH, Ansley Arnwine of Union KY, Eliza Arnwine of Oxford MS, Chole Arnwine, & Preston Arnwine Jr of Knoxville TN; sister Maxine Kerley with husband Warren, of Athens; sister Mary Jo Brewer with husband Carl of Knoxville; and brother Buck Arnwine with wife Vicki of Knoxville; and a host of other family and friends to mourn his passing.

A Celebration of Life will be held on July 1st, 6pm at Marshall Hill Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Marshall Hill Baptist Church, 621 Co Rd 255, Niota TN. This service will celebrate the lives of both John Arnwine and Shirley Arnwine.

You are encouraged to share a memory of John and/or your personal condolences with his family by visiting his memorial webpage and guestbook at www.companionfuenrals.com. Companion Funeral Home has charge of these arrangements.