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Veterans Park Flag Pole Rededicated

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McKENZIE (June 11, 2021) — The City of McKenzie rededicated the flag pole at Veterans Park in Downtown McKenzie to the late James L. Washburn on Friday. In attendance were Mayor Jill Holland, McKenzie Industrial Board Director and Chamber President Monica Heath, Daniel Hollowell of Maddox Insurance along with Washburn family members; Ramona Washburn, Jeff and Jennifer Washburn, Joel and Teresa Washburn, and Brittany and Jason Martin.

James L. Washburn was born on September 5, 1927, in Henderson County. Near the end of World War II, he joined the Army and was stationed in Yamato, Japan with the American Occupational Forces. After being discharged, he returned to McKenzie, where he joined Company G, 117th Infantry Regiment of the Tennessee National Guard. James married Ramona Mae Kemp on May 22, 1948, about the same time that he began his newspaper career.

He rose to the position of shop foreman and progressed to the general manager of The McKenzie Banner and Dresden Enterprise. On April 1, 1968, James and Karl Barlow purchased The McKenzie Banner and Dresden Enterprise newspapers from J. Frank Barlow. In 1980, James became the sole owner and publisher.

The Washburn family began attending McKenzie First Baptist Church in 1960 where James was ordained as a deacon. He served as a Sunday School teacher, Training Union Director for young boys and drove the church bus for many outings.

He was active in McKenzie Boy Scout Troop 78 while his two boys were members of the scout troop. He served as Scoutmaster of the troop.

James was a Charter Member of the McKenzie Jaycees and served as the organization’s president and as chairman of many projects conducted by the group. He was a member of the McKenzie Chamber of Commerce and was instrumental along with Bob Greene of Huntingdon in forming the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce.

On September 5, 1976, the Webb School Alumni Association of McKenzie honored James for his work in assisting the organization.

He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4939 of McKenzie. He was a member of the McKenzie Rotary Club and Paul Harris Fellow. He served as a member of the McKenzie Industrial Bond Board and other city and county committees during his lifetime.