(c)2009 NPT PHOTO BY DUAY O'NEIL

Kiersten Thompson, right, delighted J. D. Wilburn, left, with her fiddle rendition of the old
song "Go Tell Aunt Rhody" at Thursday's Old Timey Night. Kiersten represented Cosby
Elementary School in the evening's talent presentations.

Colder weather finally arrived in time to add some briskness to our hometown's festival weekend, along with a full moon and heavy gourds on the vine.

News continues to flow through the town and I picked up on a few items you will read more about in upcoming issues. Ron Crane, a manager at Mountain Crest Inn, happens to be a wonderful lead Gospel singer. I've only known him as a promoter for Newport Speedway. Last Friday I heard some tracks by their quartet that just recorded in Nashville. Inn manager Annette Mason is right to believe this quartet could get national recognition and the good news will be coming from Newport. We will be covering the announcement Oct. 11.

Those of you who remember ice cream and sweet times at the long-gone Kay's off Cosby Highway can watch the demolition of the building that used to be its home. Wade Wester, property owner, told me about this. Tommy Crowder will have his demolition equipment at the site by Thursday. A modern office building will go up in its place. During my rounds last week, I bumped into Clayton Owenby at the three-way, property he owns and now being used for car sales. With him was Jack Rector, one of the brothers of whom I've met two: Donald and Dallas. Because I do not know much about these fellows, I hope to chat with them and tell you their stories.

Many times over the past months I've bumped into this old friend eating lunch or breakfast at People's Choice Restaurant and intended to visit his business for a chat. That finally happened in late September and I tell that story now or at least start it as life's stories go on about Newport.

When I arrived at the trucking company and walked into one of its large garage bays, the company owner was leaning on a cane in his right hand and seemed to be praying over the giant truck that was oozing rear axle grease onto the concrete. During the years, I've gotten to know J.E. Renner but really didn't know many details of his life. The first time we met was in the early 1970s, when he was Deputy Renner. Today, at 69, he operates what must be the largest independent trucking company in Cocke County. His start was modest, though, with just a couple of trucks over 30 years ago. J. E., whose initials stand for Junior Easterly, explained to me the struck he was studying, a 2002 Peterbilt tractor that needed repairs, had earned its stay logging 700,000 miles. The truck weighs about 19,000 pounds, has a full-size sleeping compartment, and 550 horsepower diesel. He bought the truck used from an Owenby suffering with cancer. While the truck has gained a few pounds of grease, its weight remains virtually the same. J.E. has added a few pounds but has a lot more hair than me.

J.E. is the son of Willard Easterly Renner, who married Verdie Parks, and they lived off Baltimore Road north of Parrottsville in a three-room house. The oldest child is Walter Renner, 71, followed by J.E. Then there are three girls, the oldest being Ida Sane, who has been bedfast after suffering a stroke years ago. The other sisters are Magdalene Sane, widow of Athan Sane, and Retha Mae Campbell, married to A.J. Campbell. Walter retired from Magnavox and still farms. Many of you may recall the years J.E. operated the Texaco station in Parrottsville. He also had started Parrottsville Recapping.  It must have been about 1974 when Sheriff Tom O'Dell drove in and said, "I need a man from Parrottsville." J.E. was that man and became a deputy. A fellow who helped out at the business, Joe Bassinger also became a deputy. J.E. recalled that Joe was supposed to be patrolling with Deputy Billy Smith but missed the shift. It was the night that Deputies Smith and Lloyd "Dub" Clevenger were killed in a collision at the I-40 overpass and Cosby Highway on Dec. 20, 1974. After the accident, Renner arrived along with rescue personnel. "Deputy Clevenger was up walking around and talking. He seemed to be OK." He died shortly later at the local hospital.

By 1976, Bobby Stinson became sheriff and J.E. was captain of the nightshift. Billy Grooms and Donnie Herndon were among deputies. Dispatchers included Bryan Murr and Lorene Hartsell, who remain with the sheriff's dept. Herndon and Renner were more than fellow deputies. They drove trucks together and each had two trucks. By 1980, J.E. decided to make trucking his fulltime career. As far as law enforcement, it was time for a change, he said. Since 1976, he had owned and operated trucks. It was the good times on the highways with diesel selling for 70 cents per gallon, up some from the 50 cents he paid in 1976. After a time, Donnie and J.E. split, each taking two trucks. "Ever time I gained some money, I  bought a truck." You could buy them for about $89,000 new compared to at least $120,000 today.

Renner Trucking expanded to its present location off Jasmine Drive, across from Freeman's Furniture at Highway 25E, when he bought the property from trucker Tommy Morrow about 1995. Although Morrow had continued driving until 2008, became ill that winter, and died in 2009, Renner had quit driving in 1990. Before that it was common for him to log 150,000 to 200,000 miles every year, many long hauls across the country. He never had a major accident. The business remained good until the era of $3-$5 per gal. diesel. "Fuel prices killed the trucking industry," he lamented. At one time the company utilized 50 trucks. It has only been in the past few weeks that freight volume has increased. He operates about 30 trucks and gets the help of long-time friend and former deputy Bill Emmons, known by friends as "Wild Bill." Of the trucks, J.E.'s son, Jason, owns 10 leased to Renner Trucking. Some of the remainder are owner-operated and J.E. owns 18. The challenge has been to keep the trucks running and rolling, especially during the past eight years.

J.E.'s first wife was the former Marlene Shelton and they have two children: Mitzi Lane, a school teacher married to Rick Lane; and Randy, who is nbot married, a night watchman for the trucking company. Today. J.E. lives at Forrest Hills with his wife, the former Aileen Smith, who works in the office. They have a son, Jason Renner, who is married to the former Veronica Beason; and daughter, Christy Parks.

It is obvious that he is proud of the family business and will probably only leave on the last truck out. "I've had people who want to buy me out. I'm not going to retire. It's my life." He made a lot less as a deputy, and at $500 per month was the first of the salary paid deputies, when fee-grabbing disappeared. I suspect he makes a lot more money today, but he doesn't brag about it. He's the same old good-hearted man I got to know 35 years ago.

I learned a little about trucking, such as how he gets business. There are marketplaces that post both loads that need to be moved and trucking companies available. Several of the women of the seven office staff make calls to gain haul jobs. He relies heavily on four mechanics and has about 18 drivers. Not all the business posted is worth his bid. "It cost me $1.20 per mile to operate" so he seeks to make more than this when bidding for a load of freight. It is also a fulltime chore dealing with government regulations. Today, truckers are only allowed to be with a truck 14 hours, driving it no more than 11 hours in a 24-hour period.

One of the things I suspected about J.E., who has no hobbies and doesn't do much fishing, is that he uses his time to help and support other people, especially with charitable work. At a visit to the garage, I bumped into shop foreman Brady Barber, who confirmed this. While munching on a sandwich during lunch, He said, "He lives the Christian life. He's constantly helping people. He gives good advice and is a wise and benevolent man."

In plain talk, the long roads, slow hours, and heavy traffic have taught him to always be alert and focused. That's made good sense for his business and life too.