Kingsport Spirit

Tom Parham was recently inducted into the Dobyns-Bennett High School Alumni Hall of Fame. These are Jeff Fleming’s remarks upon his induction.

I want to tell you a story with all the triumphs, tragedies, and unexpected twists of a bestseller.

But this isn’t fiction—it’s the story of the Stone family, a family whose history is intertwined with the development of Kingsport, Tennessee.

The story begins in Southwest Virginia, not in the coalfields, but in the New River Valley, where the pioneer spirit led them westward. As the frontier pushed further, the Stones followed, finding new opportunities in industry, fueled by the rich natural resources of the surrounding mountains.

They were one of many families from their community who followed this path, led by George Carter, who acquired thousands of acres to build a city that would grow along his planned railroad.

At the time, there was nothing in this area—no roads, no buildings, no banks, no post office.

Carter brought along trusted neighbors to help manage this development, including J. Fred Johnson, J.W. Dobyns, and J.C. “Jerry” Stone, who became his land agent before serving the Kingsport Improvement Corporation for 20 years.

Jerry Stone’s brother, Russell, also moved to Kingsport, working at Kingsport Press and later serving as an alderman. Jerry’s son, M.C. Stone, played a crucial role in Kingsport’s education system, championing the need for a second junior high school, Ross N. Robinson, a new Dobyns-Bennett, and a relocated John Sevier.

Jerry’s cousin, Herb Stone, after graduating from the Naval Academy, started a small chemical plant in Bristol before being hired by George Eastman to work for Tennessee Eastman, eventually becoming superintendent of operations.

The Stone family became fixtures in Kingsport, with most of them settling along the growing residential section of Watauga Street.

Herb Stone and his family lived a charmed life, often featured in the local society pages. The Stones traveled extensively, including a memorable trip in 1934 on an ocean liner to Germany, where they crossed paths with the Mitsui family of Japan, founders of Mitsubishi. On this trip, he met with German industrial leaders including those at Wacker Chemie, the large chemical company that played a major role in World War I.

Think about this, the Stones were in Germany just months before Adolph Hitler was elected, setting the stage for another global conflict.

As World War II loomed, the U.S. government approached Eastman to help Britain stabilize RDX, the only explosive capable of penetrating the hull of a U-boat. Herb Stone played a critical role in developing pilot plants to produce RDX.

Meanwhile, his daughter Martha Stone married Thomas Parham Sr. in 1940. It was the best of times.

But just 18 months later, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, using Mitsubishi planes—built by the same family the Stones had encountered on their trip to Germany.

Despite the turmoil, Thomas and Martha Parham started a family, with two sons born in 1941 and 1942.

The U.S. entered the war, and Kingsport’s industrial efforts shifted into high gear, including the construction of a 6,000-acre RDX facility, Holston Defense, managed by, you guessed it, Herb Stone.

During the war, the Manhattan Project was also overseen by Eastman, contributing to the development of the atomic bomb that eventually ended the conflict.

After the war, the Stone family moved into Rotherwood Mansion, which they purchased from John B. Dennis, who had vacated the property for the war effort.

Tragedy struck the family in 1946 when Thomas Parham Sr. developed a life-threatening illness and died at the age of 32, leaving behind a grieving widow and two young sons. Martha never fully recovered from her husband’s death and passed away at age 45, leaving their sons Tom and Bill to be raised by their grandparents in Rotherwood.

In the years following the war, Herb Stone turned his focus to civic affairs, helping to build Kingsport’s infrastructure, including a highway that still bears his name.

Both grandsons, Tom and Bill Parham would go on to make a name for themselves in their own right.

I’ve known Tom Parham Jr. for 40 years. He had a successful career at Tennessee Eastman, where he often served as the company’s spokesperson. He possessed a gift for language and diplomacy, qualities likely influenced by his grandfather. Tom also became a passionate advocate for Kingsport’s Greenbelt, a walking path that faced initial resistance from residents who feared it would attract crime and lower property values. Through patience and persistence, Tom was able to convince property owners to voluntarily grant right-of-way for the path, a task many thought impossible. He served on the Greenbelt Committee for 21 years, helping to create one of the city’s most beloved recreational assets.

In addition to his work on the Greenbelt, Tom ran for elected office, serving as a city alderman from 2009 through Kingsport’s centennial year in 2017, including two years as vice mayor. During his time in office, Tom also led efforts to establish the Petworks Good Steward Adoption Center, a modern animal shelter that was largely funded by private donations. Despite the challenges, Tom’s leadership and determination helped bring this project to fruition, providing a much-needed resource for the community.

Tom was also celebrated for his 50 years of service to Kiwanis, a testament to his lifelong dedication to public service. His humility is one of his defining traits; when I asked him why he didn’t speak more openly about his family’s legacy, he explained that they had always been taught to be humble and downplay their connections, for fear of being accused of relying on their grandfather’s reputation.

Tom Parham Jr. is not just Herb Stone’s grandson—he is a man who has made a lasting impact on Kingsport in his own right. From the Greenbelt to the animal shelter, his fingerprints are on some of the most positive and enduring aspects of this city.

I am proud to know him, and his story is one of the many reasons why the Stone family remains a cornerstone of our community’s history.

In one of the family home movies I was able to watch, I saw Herb Stone in his latter years in a wheelchair rolled up to look out the screen door of Rotherwood as if he was surveying his growing family and his community. Despite all of the unimaginable challenges he faced – many on a global scale – we all survived thanks to his leadership. He sacrificed more than we’ll ever truly understand.

Tom, I imagine if he were here today, he’d say, “Well done, my son” just as I say, “Well done, my friend.”

Tom, along with your Hall of Fame recognition, your children wanted me to share some special news: they’ve arranged for a brick to be added at the Alumni Field House, permanently honoring your legacy at Dobyns-Bennett.