Robert H. Fain Jr.

Robert H. Fain, Jr., 98, passed away on March 15, 2024.  The eldest of nine children, he was educated in the Knoxville public school system before continuing his education at Lane College, Morristown College, and The University of Tennessee.  

Robert was a veteran of World War II with service from 1943-1946 in the European Theatre of Operations.  He was awarded a Purple Heart for injuries he received when he was hit by a piece of shrapnel.  

On August 31, 1947, while riding on a bus from Knoxville to Morristown where they would be attending Morristown College, Robert met Irene Clark.  She became the love of his life and from that day until August 31, 2021, when Irene passed, they were always together.  They were wonderful parents who supported, inspired, and encouraged their six children to achieve their goals during their nearly 73 years of marriage.

While seemingly reserved to many, Robert had a keen sense of humor and he loved a good laugh. He was interested in studying history, traveling, providing for his family, advocatingfor others, and providing community service.  He had a strong interest in others’ wellbeing.  

Being born during the Great Depression and growing up during the Jim Crow Era left a lasting mark on Mr. Fain.  He often said that he did not accept being treated as a second-classcitizen, and he actively sought to end discrimination with or without the help of others. He often expressed resentment and resistance to the fact that he and other African Americans were marginalized simply because of the color of their skin.   This treatment caused him to work hard to contribute to his community in an effort to remove barriers to the success of African Americans and to serve as an advocate for others who were similarly affected but who did not feel empowered to change the status quo.

Robert was a skilled brick mason, and he worked for several years on union jobs in that field, working on projects in Morristown and other nearby cities.  After he left brick masonry, he worked for the Morristown Housing Authority from 1970 to 1987, when he retired from the position of Director of Social Services. He was the first African American to be employed at the Morristown Housing Authority in a professional capacity, and he left a lasting impression on several people whose lives were forever changed because of his mentorship and encouragement to help them set and reach for goals that pushed them beyond their comfort zones.  Always an advocate for education, Mr. Fain’s influence led all of his children to obtain at least a Master’s degree and several women beyond the age of 30 who lived in the Housing Authority’s projects to return to high school, get their diplomas, and to go on to earn college degrees.  He worked personally with these women who needed help in working their waysthrough the educational system and who wanted to gain independence that comes from steady employment.

In the ‘60s he organized a concerned citizens group that made the black vote more effective when consolidated with liberal white voters.  That action led to the election of the first black city alderman as well as first-time appointments of African Americans to most major Morristown boards of directors.  

Mr. Fain was a member of TARAC, an organization of combined Morristown agencies, and the Morristown Exchange Club.  He was the founding president of the local NAACP and served from 1968-70.  As president, he re-organized the local chapter that led to many first-time opportunities for African American men and women by taking them out of the prevailing roles of maids and janitors and other marginalized positions and advocating for them to move into more lucrative positions.  He served as state chair of the Tennessee NAACP Freedom Fund for two terms during this same time period.  When his children were small, he coached a little league baseball team in Morristown, and several of his players fondly recalled those days and his positive influence over 50 years later.  He was president of the Progressive Business Association and the Morristown College Alumni Association in the College’s final two years of campus operation, giving the institution additional funding beyond what was provided by the United Methodist Church.  He also served on the board for MATS (Ministerial Association Temporary Shelter), the board of trustees for Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, and the board of directors for CEASE (Community Efforts Against Spousal Abuse).

Robert began downhill skiing at the age of 65.  He later became a member of the Sugar Mountain Ski Resort Septuagenarian Club—an organization comprised of active skiers age 70 and above.  He skied every winter in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Colorado until 2003when his health no longer permitted it.  A serious part of his physical therapy was dedicated to regaining his capabilities in order to return to the sport that he grew to love.

Robert was predeceased by his parents, Irma and Rev. Robert H. Fain, Sr.; his wife Irene C.Fain; his sons Robert H. (Pat) Fain, III and Wayne C. Fain; and grandson, Kwame Pierce; his brothers Theodoric, William, Nathan, and Harold; and his sisters Anne Williams, Vivian Madison, and Doris Huff.  He will be missed and lovingly remembered by his remaining relatives, sister, Elaine Whiteside; daughters, Dr. Althia Ali; Rosaland Tyler; Angelia Fain, Anna Fain, and daughter-in-law, Dr. Juanita Fain as well as 10 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.  A part of his extended family are Lisa Brooks and his caregivers, Crilla Tyler and Patricia Profitt.

The Celebration of Life service will be at 1:00pm on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. Visitation will be from 12:00pm until the start of the service.  He will be buried with full military honors.