BALES, MAURICE THOMAS -of Fountain City, passed away at the age of 102 on Sunday, July 13, 2014. Maurice was the last of triplets born to Thomas and Callie Bales on March 29, 1912 in Knoxville. In death, he has joined his wife of 67 years, Rachel McBee Bales; and his sisters, Myrtle, Delouris, Margaret, and Marjorie Bales. Born two weeks before the sinking of the Titanic and during the William Howard Taft presidency, Maurice was a 1930 graduate of Knoxville High School and was a member of Central Baptist Church of Fountain City for over seventy years. Having developed an interest and expertise in electronics at a very early age, Maurice worked with radar applications at Philco during World War II, and he took pride in his contribution to the war effort. Following the war, he began over forty years employment with House-Hasson Hardware where his primary responsibility was the repair of radios, then televisions, and other appliances. He worked on the first color televisions in the Knoxville area and would frequently work free of charge on appliances for families less fortunate. He was a patient, gentle, unassuming man with a sharp mind, incredible memory, and a great sense of humor and will be greatly missed by his survivors, daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Steve Higdon; son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Karen Bales, and by his grandchildren, Christina Higdon Ross, Brad Higdon, Matthew Higdon, and Beau Bales. He will forever be fondly remembered as "Pappaw" by his great grandchildren, Callie and Emma Ross, and Harper and Rowan Higdon. Memorials may be made to Central Baptist Church of Fountain City or The Fountain City Ministry Center, 5364 North Broadway, Knoxville, TN 37919. Family and friends will meet 10:45 a.m. Saturday, July 19, 2014 at McBee Family Cemetery, 9801 Washington Pike, for a graveside service at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Ron Mouser officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, July 18, 2014 at Stevens Mortuary, Oglewood Avenue at North Broadway.Mr. Bales' guest book is available atwww.stevensmortuaryinc.com.
Published in Knoxville News Sentinel on July 16, 2014