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- FALL BRANCH -- Paul Baskett, 85, of Hawley Road, Blountville, passed away Tuesday at Bristol Memorial Hospital following a period of declining health.
An agricultural community leader, he owned and managed three dairy operations in three counties in a family partnership. Their Echo-Hills Holstein herd was nationally known; animals were frequent winners at shows across the Southeast; some were sold and exported to other countries.
Paul was a long-term director of the Appalachian Holstein Breeders, sale chairman for many years of their successful sales which attracted nationwide buyers, and instrumental in the success of the 1980 National Holstein Convention Sale held on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry.
He also served on the board of Washington County DHIA.
Supportive of young family farmers, he often sold animals to beginning dairymen in affordable sales agreements to give their herds a good start. His encouragement to young dairy enthusiasts fostered the successful careers of many in the dairy industry.
He was the original founder and owner of Muddy Creek Moto-Cross and Raceway in Blountville. A great believer in his Lord, he was a member of Oak Hill Baptist Church, Jonesborough.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 50 years: Wanda Luster Baskett; a brother: Ruble "Junior" Baskett; and his parents: Ruble and Eva Baskett.
He is survived by his sons, Lynn (companion Julie Tisdale), of Jonesborough, and Jim, (companion Karen Jones) of Limestone; a grandson: Joshua Paul Baskett; a granddaughter: Kim (Jason) Fleming of Jonesborough; a brother: Mike (Lisa) of Jonesborough; three sisters: Geneva (J.S.) Murray and Wilma Baskett, both of Jonesborough, and Lorna Evans of Chuckey; a sister-in-law: Jerri Baskett of Jonesborough; seven great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; his valued farm associate: Tommy Cloyd; his treasured caregiver: Teresa Pelletier; and a special friend, Gladys Duvall.
The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. today at Oak Hill Baptist Church in Jonesborough with the funeral service following at 8 p.m. The Rev. Joe Blankenship and the Rev. Vic Wallace will preside.
Graveside services and burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the church cemetery.
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Abt 1927 - 2012 (~ 85 years)
