Long-time Crossville attorney Harry D. Sabine died Wednesday, July 31, 2019, after suffering a massive stroke. A life-long resident of Cumberland County, Sabine was born in Rockwood, TN and raised in the Ozone community in 1941. He was valedictorian of the Class of 1958 at Cumberland County High School where he began a life of service to his community. Sabine served as a member of the Student Council and as a delegate to the Boy’s State.
He continued his formal education at The University of Tennessee in Knoxville where he received a degree in business administration and earned a law degree. After a distinguished stint in the U.S. Marines including one tour of duty in Vietnam and service in the Judge Advocate General Corps, Captain Sabine returned to practice law in Crossville in 1968. He and his wife, Michelle Ann Douglas Sabine, raised their two sons here and together served this community for over 50 years.
Among a myriad of accomplishments, Sabine organized the Scholastic Chess program in Cumberland County schools which brought home 25 state high school championships and two National Junior High Championships. He was a giant of scholastic chess in both his home state of Tennessee and nationally. It was Sabine’s idea to create the quadrennial spectacle known as “SuperNationals”, and he was instrumental in US Chess’ move from New York to Crossville in 2005. He held leadership roles in the Tennessee Chess Association and US Chess in many years of service to both organizations.
Sabine also served three terms as a member of the Cumberland County Commission representing the First Civil District. During his time on the commission, he served on the budget committee and was a promoter of the new library. He recently completed a term as chair of the trustees of the Art Circle Public Library.
Sabine also served with distinction on the Uplands Retirement Village Board of Directors and held leadership positions with the Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce.
In earlier years, Sabine ably served as Chairman of Boy Scout Troop #172, managing the troop funds and coordinating and chaperoning two major trips, one to the Grand Canyon and one with the Boy Scouts Bahamas High Adventure Sailing Trip. He was also a member of Crossville Jaycees.
Harry Sabine is survived by his wife Michelle Ann Sabine, his son Jay and daughter-in-law Rose Hamby Sabine, daughter-in-law Toni Sabine, grandson Jordon Hall-Sabine, and numerous brothers-and sisters-in-law as well as nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and parents-in-law as well as his son Steve.
A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, August 11, at 3 p.m. at the Pleasant Hill Community Church in Pleasant Hill, Tennessee. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Cumberland County Chess Club or the Art Circle Public Library.