Life Story

John L. Hathaway was the son of the late Major C.R. and Josie Lusk Hathaway. Mr. Hathaway was a 1931 graduate of Elizabethton High School and received his B.S. degree in the first Chemical Engineering Class of The University of Tennessee in 1935. After graduation from college he began working in the Chemical Laboratory of Bemberg Fibers. He spent his entire working career with Bemberg and Beaunit Fibers. He was the Chemical Division Superintendent from 1942 to 1954, the Production Manager and Plant Manager from 1954 till 1961, the Vice President of the Cupramonium Division of Beaunit Fibers from 1961 until 1966. He then became the Research Manager for Beaunit Fibers at Triangle Park, North Carolina from 1966 until his retirement in 1972. Following his retirement he taught mathematics at the Herman Robinson Vocational School from 1973 until 1977. Mr. Hathaway was a life time member of the First United Methodist Church of Elizabethton and was a member and president of the Wesley Sunday School Class. He was also a past president of the Elizabethton Kiwanis Club and was mentioned in the World Who's Who in Finance and Industry. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 56 years, Helen Chambers Hathaway, May 5, 1996. He and Helen made sure their family stay close by gathering everyone on holidays and by providing a cabin on Holden Beach every July for 25 years.