Viencen “Vince” Hitechew Jr., 47, of Roan Mountain, passed away on Saturday, February 13, 2016. A native of Carter County, born August 25, 1968, he was the son of Viencen “Wally” Hitechew Sr. and step-mother Lena Hitechew, Roan Mountain, Tenn., and the late Pauline Barnett Hitechew. In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by a brother, Robert “Bob Toe” Oaks; brother, Larry Oaks; and sister, Penny Barnett.
Vince was a 1986 graduate of Cloudland High School, where his number 31 football jersey is retired. Sr. Airman Hitechew went on to loyally serve his country for six years in the 388th Fighter Wing of the United States Air Force as a Head Dedicated Crew Chief, and was currently employed by Unimin Corporation in Red Hill, N.C. He loved spending time with his family, the Tennessee Vols, and Highlander football.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 18 years, Kimberly Hitechew, and son, Tristan Hitechew, of the home; son, Viencen “Trey” Hitechew III and Sierra Gobble, Hampton; daughter, Brianna Birchfield and Timothy Sullins, Kingsport; daughter, Cara Estep and husband Kevin, Houston, Texas; five grandchildren, Kendall, Leah, Sage, Knox and Trenton; two sisters, Anita Oaks-Hughes of Roan Mountain and Paula Oaks of Stoney Creek; several nieces and nephews; Don and Marcia Christman, and Dane and Shawn Christman and families, all of Roan Mountain. His special friends, Steve Buchanan, Jon Julian, Kevin Moody, Brian Gouge, Keith Blackwell, Nick McKinney and Chancee Severson, also survive.
A service to celebrate the life of Vince will be conducted on Friday, February 19, at 6 p.m. in the Tabernacle Building of Roan Mountain Holiness Church, Roan Mountain, with Rev. Don Julian officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 6 to 8 p.m. Friends may also visit the family at 227 McKinney Hollow Road, Roan Mountain, at other times. To those who prefer, memorials may be made, in lieu of flowers, to Carter County Bank, 8257 US-19E, Roan Mountain, TN, for a trust for his children. It was his wish to be cremated.