James "Jimmy" Keener Fleenor Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

My father, James "Jimmy" Keener Fleenor, age 94, of Bristol, Virginia left his earthly home on Thursday, May 13, 2021 for his everlasting eternal home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and among many members of his family that have preceded him in death, his father Arthur Preston and mother Banner Hunter Fleenor and beloved wife of 43 years Bettye Wells Fleenor. My father was a lifelong resident of Bristol, Virginia he graduated Virginia High School a proud member of the Bearcats marching band he played the clarinet. Jim received a Bachelor's Degree at King College, soon after college he immediately was hired in the banking business employed as a bookkeeper with First National Bank of Sullivan County on State Street in Bristol, Tennessee, after 43 years he retired in 1990 as Vice President, Loan Officer of Am South where he enjoyed helping his customers that remember him and would tell me, "he gave me my first loan" to begin my business that continues to operate today. My father began acquiring rental properties one at a time in 1963 and took great joy interacting with his tenants, he was able to pay for my education from his rental income. My father was a devout Christian man, he grew up as a member of First Baptist Church in Bristol, Virginia where he enjoyed his weekly Sunday School Class at the church every Sunday with members and his friends he cherished are Mr. Ernie Sprouse, Mr. Jim Pruner and Dean Cloyd. My father believed in helping his community, a member of the Bristol Virginia School Board where he served as Chairman and Vice-Chairman during his tenure and a Board member of Highlands Community Services in the City of Bristol for 20 years. My dad and Archie Hubbard joked over the years that they were always the first in the buffet line. Jim loved farming, he had land at the Holston River on Mendota Road working in the fields of tobacco, setting, cutting and assisting in the production where his crop was sold at the Burley Warehouse in Abingdon. My father would often say "No one has had a better life" than what he has had. Survivors include his only son, Doug Fleenor and wife, Kim; great friends to mention are Mark Hobbs, Gary Johnson, Nancy Marney and Fred Bowman who visited frequently, brought him food and took him out for lunch or dinner and talked hours on the phone or told stories of history in Bristol. To Steve Crawford of the Bristol City Police Department thank you for checking on my father's well being at his home. A special thank you to his family at Elmcroft Assisted Living in Bristol, Tennessee the care was exceptional they provided my father and to Avalon of Bristol, Tennessee allowing my father to rest peacefully and feel no pain. A private graveside service will be conducted at 1:00 P.M., Monday, May 17, 2021 at Glenwood Cemetery with Pastor Dewey Williams officiating. Please In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Bristol Lifesaving Crew, 1601 Euclid Ave., Bristol, VA 24201 or to Bellemeadows Church on 619 Wagner Road in Bristol, Virginia 24201. Condolences and memories may be left for the family at akardfuneralhome.com Akard Funeral Home, (423) 989-4800 is serving the Fleenor family.

James "Jimmy" Keener Fleenor

May 22, 1926 - May 13, 2021