UTM professor emeritus of geology and longtime director of the university’s Honors Programs, Dr. Ernest W. Blythe Jr., died Feb. 1. He was 74.

The funeral was held at 10 a.m. Friday Feb. 4, at Murphy Funeral Home in Martin.

“Ernie had a true love for the university,” said UT Martin Chancellor Nick Dunagan. “Ernie and Evelyn continued to attend many university events after his retirement. He will be missed by his many friends.”

“Ernie Blythe created and shaped the UT Martin Honors Programsfrom1981 through his retirement in 1997,” said Dr. William Zachry, director of Honors Programs. “He was respected and loved by hundreds of students who came through those programs.” “He was a gentle, kind and caring teacher who worked tirelessly to improve the learning experience of his students. His spirit will live on in UT Martin Honors Programs as long as those programs endure.”

During his tenure at the university, Blythe served as faculty athletic representative, was chairman of the university’s Athletics Board, chairman of the Faculty Representative Committee of the Gulf South Conference (GSC) and was a member of the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees’ Athletics Committee. He also helped monitor compliance with National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) regulations.

He was sponsor for the UT Martin University Scholars Organization and the Society for Honors Seminar Students and sponsor and coach of the Intercollegiate Academic Team.

A longtime member of Kiwanis Club of Martin, he was past president, past Lieutenant. Governor and District Chairman of the Youth Services Committee, District Chairman of Young Children and served on the Priority One Committee. In 1994-95, he served as Kiwanis Louisiana, Mississippi, West Tennessee District Governor and was a member of the Kiwanis International Achievements Committee in 1996-97. Last year, Blythe and his wife, Evelyn, were co-chairmen of the Kiwanis Club Committee on District Awareness. He was a Fellow of the Tennessee Academy of Science, and held memberships in the Geological Society of America, American Association of University Professors and the National Association of Geology Teachers.

A native of Old Hickory, he received a bachelor of science degree from Tennessee Technological University, a master of science degree and a doctorate from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He joined the UT Martin faculty in 1969.

Survivors include his wife, Evelyn, and two sons, Lane and Roger.