Merle Travis Tinker Sr. age 75 of Briceville went home to be with his Lord on Friday, November 4, 2016 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on December 2, 1940 to the late Luther and Barbara Patterson Tinker in Oliver Springs, TN. Merle worked as a coal miner, then went on to work at Boeing Aircraft where he retired. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and will be dearly missed.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded by daughter, Stacie Ranae Tinker; brothers, Buford Tinker, Harold Tinker, and Ray Tinker; sister, Joyce Shackleford; Brother-in-law, Jeryl Barnette.

He is survived by:

Wife of 51 years......Brenda Tinker of Briceville
Son....Merle T. Tinker Jr. of Knoxville
Daughters.Tracey Aslinger and husband Michael of Briceville
Kimberly Hayes and husband John of Briceville
Miriam Blair of Bend, Oregon
Grandchildren..Reverend Devin Barnette and wife Ittress of Briceville
Kaleasha Welch of Briceville
Kala Welch of Rocky Top
Erica McMahan and husband Brandon of Briceville
Victoria Hayes of Greenville
Logan Hayes of Briceville
Caleb Jacks of Briceville
Great Grandchildren Lonna Barnette, Carmen Barnette, Kylie McMahan, Malachi Barnette,
Madelyn Welch, Adriel Barnette and Adley McMahan
BrothersManuel Tinker of Oliver Springs
Lowell Tinker and Wife Louise - Oliver Springs
Gary Tinker - Oliver Springs
Sisters..Bobbie Hensley and husband Wilburn - Oliver Springs
Linda Wakefield and husband Larry - Oak Ridge
Wilma Reynolds and husband Kenneth - Oak Ridge
Patricia Schmidt - Oak Ridge
Kathy Tinker - Nashville
Special friend...John Alley
Several Nieces and nephews and a host of other family and friends

The family will receive friends at the Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Rocky Top on Sunday, November 6, 2016 from 6-8pm with the funeral service to follow at 8pm with the Rev. Archie Seiber and the Rev. Houston Carroll officiating. Family and friends wishing to attend his graveside service will meet at the funeral home on Monday, November 7, 2016 at 10:30am and go in funeral procession to the Circle Cemetery for an 11am interment.