Interesting people live all around. But sometimes we learn of their unique qualities in an obituary. Here’s what I learned Wednesday night:

Jud Rogers, 70, who retired to Knoxville and passed away this week, had a varied career as a school teacher and coach, a news reporter and a human resources officer in a bank. But his favorite job was as the marketing director for Little League Baseball International. “While in Williamsport, he also found time to serve on the local chamber of commerce and the board of directors of Lycoming College, and to help create Leadership Lycoming, a program that encourages young members of the business community to invest their talents in improving quality of life for their city.”

Jeanette “Jean” Barker, 90, of Maryville, passed away on 9/11. She was known as “Little Jean,” the first female sewing machine mechanic at Levi Strauss. She also worked as a retirement coordinator at Levi’s and was known by many from the deli at Bi-Lo.

Fountain City lost two well-known businesspersons: C.J. Hulen, a solo practitioner in accounting, and Vince Stormer, who owned Fountain City Florist.

KnoxTNToday.com updates obituary links from 42 area mortuaries each day as a service to our readers.