Thomas 'Tom' Nicholas Russin
Thomas “Tom” Nicholas Russin, 65, of Kingsport, Tenn., passed away Wednesday of a heart attack at his home.
He was born April 29, 1948, in Pittsburgh.
Tom lovingly cared for his mother and father in the last years of their lives.
Tom was raised in Kingsport, Tenn., since 1950 and was a graduate of Dobyns-Bennett High School, Lees-McCrae Junior College, ETSU, and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary with a master's degree in religious studies.
He loved the Lord, the Bible and music, especially old bluegrass and early “blues.” He grew up listening to his father playing classical violin and played in the symphony orchestra as a youth. He was self-taught on the mandolin, piano, guitar and Dobro; any instrument he picked up, he played. During the 1970s, Tom toured with gospel groups, performed on radio shows, and did recording and television work. He was accomplished on the slide, rhythm and bass guitars. He studied and collected music for many years, developing a vast knowledge of delta blues, gospel, rockabilly, bluegrass and other styles. Tom was focused on bringing as much recognition as possible to an under-appreciated blues player from Kingsport, Brownie McGee. Tom was a member of the Kingsport Masonic Lodge Demolay.
While attending Lees-McCrae Junior College, he learned about mountaineer music, hanging out and picking with local musicians. He loved sharing his music with the residents at Greystone Nursing Home and the Mt. Carmel Senior Citizens Center.
Tom is survived by sisters, Sally Russin Dingus (Mark) of Blountville, Tenn., Nicki R. Bacon (Joe) of Franklin, Tenn.; nephews and niece, Wes Bacon (Lauren), Chase Bacon and Emily Bryan (Marshall); great-nephew, Coy Bacon; and great-niece, June Bryan of Nashville, Tenn. He is also survived by several aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Nicholas and Marie Russin, and grandparents, Nicholas and Rose Russin and Clifford T. and Pearl Dumbaugh.
RUSSIN — A funeral service for Thomas “Tom” Nicholas Russin, who passed away Wednesday, May 29, 2013, was Sunday at the Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church in Tennessee.Burial was at Oak Hill Memorial Park in the Masonic Gardens.In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 207 N. Boone St., Johnson City, TN 37604; the American Heart Association, P. O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284; the Symphony of the Mountains, 1200 E. Center St., Kingsport, TN 37660; or a charity of your choice.Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport, Tenn., is serving the family.Please visit www.hamlettdobson.com to leave an online condolence for the family.
