DR. OSCAR BALLARD HASH, JR.

Dr. Oscar Ballard Hash, Jr., age 83, of Powell, TN passed away on January 23, 2023. Ballard, affectionately called “Sonny” by close family members was predeceased by his parents, Ballard, Sr. and Axley Hash, of Norton, VA, where Ballard was raised.

A member of the John I. Burton High School class of 1959, he attended Clinch Valley College before transferring to the University of Tennessee pre-med program. He then attended The Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, VA receiving his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1968.

Upon graduation from MCV he entered the Armed Forces with the rank of Captain and served in the medical corps in Fort Greely, Alaska. After military service he opened his dental practice in Powell, TN, just outside of Knoxville, where he served his community for over thirty years. After retirement he found himself longing for a bit of adventure, so answered a call to become a civilian contractor dentist for the U.S. Army at Fort Drum in upstate New York, serving there for three years.

It was at the University of Tennessee that he met the love of his life, Iris Hatfield. She would stay by his side for nearly fifty-seven years. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Brian Hash, of Knoxville, TN and a daughter, Cheryl McGrath, of Braselton, GA, and four grandchildren, Lillian Hash, Brianna Hash, Brady McGrath and Madelyn McGrath, a sister, Judy Hash Dotson (Ken) of Midlothian, VA and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and close friends.

Dr. Hash was an avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed hiking, hunting, fishing, and family lake weekends. He pursued his dream of flying and held a private pilot’s license. His passion, however, was music. He was a regular attendee at The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and classical music was always heard around his home. When his daughter was a member of the Powell High School Band, he was known to take his cornet and join her at band practice.

The family received friends on Monday, January 30th, at 6:00 p.m. at Stevens Mortuary, 1304 Oglewood Ave, Knoxville, TN 37917. A Military graveside service was held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 31st at Powell Valley Memorial Gardens in Big Stone Gap, VA.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.