Eli Conley Akin

Akin, Eli Conley - age 86, of Knoxville, passed away at Baptist Hospital on April 19, 1999. He is survived by wife of 59 years, Lucy Lucado Akin. He was a member of First Baptist Church. Preceded in death by parents, J. Solon and Bessie Akin; brother J.S. Akin; sisters: Mrs. Maybeth Kall, Mrs. Launette Roylston, Mrs. Ruth Thurman, and nephew, Barry Akin. He was born to J. Solon and Bessie Conley Akin on February 12, 1913, in Copperhill, TN. He was a member of Tennessee Association of the Deaf, National Association of the Deaf, Chattanooga Division No. 140 of National Fraternal Society of the Deaf, East Tennessee Historical Society, and Blount Mansion Association, and an Alumnus of the Tennessee School for the Deaf. He graduated from Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. and the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He was connected with TSD for 40 years from 1938 to 1978 as an assistant dean of boys for two years, physical education, academic and health education instructor for 38 years, coach of football for 22 years, basketball for 19 years, track for 18 years, and baseball for four years. He was athletic director for 27 years. He was selected as the National Deaf Prep Football Coach of the Year in 1947 and 1948. He was inducted into the American Athletic Association of the Deaf Hall of Fame all-sport coach in 1969; into the Hall of Fame National Fraternal Society of the Deaf in 1975 and 1986 for exceptional service to the society and for his involvement in community activities. He received the Distinguished Award from the East Tennessee Chapter of National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame for his contribution to amateur athletics in his community in 1981, Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame presented by Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Knoxville in 1994, and JC Penney Golden Rule Award Certificate of Appreciation in 1997. He was elected the Teacher of the Year by the TSD Anchor Club in 1976. The E. Conley Akin Health and Physical Education Building was dedicated to him on September 28, 1974. The 1976 Viking yearbook was dedicated to him and his wife, Lucy. He was presented the Distinguished Service Award from TSC in 1978. He was a columnist for the Tennessee School for the Deaf monthly newspaper, "The Tennessee Observer" in such departments as "Alumni News", "Looking Backward", and "Facts from the Past." He was a compiler of "The Tennessee School for the Deaf 100th Anniversary, 1845-1945," "The Tennessee School for the Deaf Athletic Almanac, 1892-1980," "Tennessee School for the Deaf 100 years of Football, 1892-1991," and "Tennessee School for the Deaf 150th Anniversary, 1845-1994". Brother and wife: Louis and June Akin of Copperhill Active pallbearers: Neil Battle, David Booker, Steve Harrison, Sam McBride, Paul Torbett, and Barry Swafford. Honorary pallbearers: Troy Haydon, Rick Alexander, Supt. Alan Mealka, and Dick Henley. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 6-8 PM at Berry Funeral Home, Chapman Hwy, with funeral service to follow at 8:00 PM in the Berry Funeral Home Chapel. Reverend Jerry Seale will officiate services. Interment Thursday 1:00 PM at Woodlawn Cemetery.