Rudy Vranes

Rudy Vranes, age 82, Louisville, Tennessee and formerly of Midland, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, October 14, 2024.

Rudy was born September 16, 1942, in Rochester, Pennsylvania; the son of the late Milan and Grace Vranes, Maryville, Tennessee. Rudy was preceded in death by his first wife of nearly 45 years, Patricia Ann Vranes, Louisville, Tennessee.

Rudy is survived by his loving wife of 12 years, Martha Anne McGrail, his children from his previous marriage Jason (Wendy) Vranes, Kena (Mike) Crume and Lisa (Bob) Amburn, and stepchildren Mark (Amy) McGrail and Megan (Chad) Carruthers. He also is survived by 11 grandchildren and 5 step-grandchildren, sister Melva (Ron) Skinner, many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Rudy graduated in 1960 from Lincoln High School, Midland, PA; he attended evening/night school for seven years at Geneva College, Beaver Falls, PA and graduated in 1971 with a double major in Accounting and Business Management. He worked at Crucible Steel in Midland for 11 years and moved in 1972 to Nashville, Tennessee and held the position of Personnel Manager for a plastic parts manufacturer. Rudy moved to East Tennessee in 1978 where he continued his management career with positions in Personnel and Purchasing Management with manufacturing and distribution companies in the Knoxville area. Rudy started his Management Consulting Company and worked numerous contracts in the East Tennessee area. Prior to retiring in March 2010, Rudy’s final contract of 5 years was with Denso Manufacturing, Maryville, Tennessee as a Senior Purchasing Specialist Contractor.

Rudy was very active in both the Personnel Management Association and National Association of Purchasing Managers (Institute for Supply Management - ISM) in Middle and East Tennessee holding positions as President in the Middle Tennessee Industrial Personnel Managers Association and President of the National Association of Purchasing Managers (ISM) in East Tennessee. 

In 2015, Rudy was successfully treated with proton radiation for prostate cancer and became a cancer survivor. On June 10, 2015, he became an active Proton Ambassador for Thompson Proton Therapy Center, Knoxville, Tennessee.

Rudy enjoyed ballroom dancing, traveling across the globe - especially cruising, singing, and playing one of his many guitars. Rudy was a faithful parishioner of St. John XXIII Catholic Church, Knoxville, Tennessee for 30 years and Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Alcoa, Tennessee for the past 8 years.

Rudy’s wish was to be cremated and a funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Fatima on Saturday, October 26th, 2024, at 11 AM, with a receiving of friends starting at 10 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations may be made in Rudy’s memory to Thompson Proton Therapy Center via the link below or by mail at: 6450 Provision Center Way, Knoxville, Tennessee 37909.