Mr. Larry Jonathan “Jon/Johnny” O’Kain, 56, of Brentwood, TN, died Thursday, July 14 at Tri-Star Skyline Medical Center in Nashville.
He was born July 25, 1965 in McMinnville to the late William Larry and Helen Kate Brown O’Kain and was baptized as a young man at Central Church of Christ. Also preceding him in death are maternal grandparents Winton & Marietta Brown Couch and paternal grandparents Bill and Lillian Harvey O’Kain. Survivors include his cousins Chris Gross, Jason (Kristine) Gross, and Mike (Kathi) O’Kain, aunt Judy Gross (Don) Gribble, uncle Donald O’Kain, and many friends he has found along life’s highway.
Jon has led an interesting life. He graduated from WCHS in 1983 where he played in the band and was known as the best trumpet player Warren County ever had. He graduated from MTSU in 1988 where he performed in the marching “Band of Blue.” He was a graduate of North Texas University’s Music School and obtained his Master’s Degree in Music in 1995 from Belmont University in Nashville. His music accomplishments include touring with the country music band ‘Sawyer Brown’ for a couple of years even going as far as Korea with them, was a band leader for Anita Bryant in Branson, Missouri, and worked with the famous violinist Shoji Tabuchi who is an iconic figure in Branson. Jon also worked as a studio musician in Nashville played in the famous Farm Aid concerts. He enjoyed music all of his life, was an avid fan of baseball especially the Atlanta Braves and Tampa Bay Rays and went to their games when he could, and loved going to Florida where he enjoyed the beach views. More recently for the last couple of years, he has been attending the Nashville School of Law where he has made several close friendships and was planning his next phase of life.
Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 20, at McMinnville Funeral Home Chapel. Bro. Wayne Cantrell will officiate. Interment will follow at Mt. View Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 11 a.m. until the time of service at 2 p.m. at McMinnville Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to McMinnville Funeral Home to assist the family with funeral expenses. Online condolences may be made at www.mcminnvillefuneralhome.com
McMinnville Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) July 20, 2022
