John Pylant Sr.

Posted: Wednesday, May 15, 2013 5:41 pm

The Messenger, May 15, 2013
John H. Pylant Sr. of Shelbyville died May 12, 2013, at the age of 74. He was  former resident of Union City.
Visitation will be held at First Baptist Church at 304 East Depot St. in Shelbyville Thursday from 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will also be held at the church Friday at 10 a.m. and will be conducted by Dr. Kevin Minchey. Burial will be at New Bethel Cemetery, located at 1830 TN Highway 64 near Shelbyville.
Donations may be made in his name to the Baptist Children’s Home at baptistchildrenshome.org/donation.asp or to the Archie Cooper Library at acolibrary.com.  
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Mary (Gilliland) Pylant of Cleveland, and his sister, Mary Alice Simmons of Shelbyville. At his passing, his children, John H. “Hal” Pylant Jr. of Orlando, Fla., Morgan E. “Butch” Pylant of Katy, Texas, and Beth (Pylant) Wettengel of Hendersonville, were present.  
He was born in Shelbyville June 12, 1938, and attended a one-room schoolhouse on the Nashville Dirt Road. He served as his high school senior class president and was the first member of his family to graduate from college. He earned his degree from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville with a major in finance and banking and went on to become the vice president of the trust department for Bank of America in Nashville. Upon retirement from banking, John and Mary returned to Shelbyville to join family and friends.  
An active Rotarian for over 30 years, he was distinguished as a Paul Harris Fellow in 1991 in Union City. He was also active in church his entire life. His tireless efforts as a deacon, Sunday school teacher and member of various church committees reflected his great dedication to Christ. His passions in retirement included visiting his seven grandchildren, raising cows on the farm and operating antique tractors.  
John Pylant will be most remembered for his genuine kindness, commitment to fulfill promises and his selfless devotion to family. He epitomized a man of integrity, character and wisdom.