04/06/2026
The History of Knoxville Rests Here: John M. Gore was born into the home of Isaac M. Gore on July 6, 1872. John was a deeply spiritual man and was a member of the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Knoxville since boyhood. From 1912 to 1917, he served as the Tennessee state president of the international organization Christian Endeavor.
Due to his interest in young people and their Christian character, it's no surprise that John was involved in the development of the Boy Scouts in this area. Known today as the Great Smoky Mountain Council, scouting in this area traces its roots to the formation of the Knox County Council in 1915, just five years after the founding of the Boy Scouts of America. John was appointed to serve as the first full-time chief executive in 1916. He served in that position for 20 years. At the time of his appointment, there were only five troops and 200 Scouts.
By the time of his retirement, his jurisdiction covered over 17 counties and over 100 troops, including 2,256 Scouts and 401 Cubs. When the Boy Scouts held their first International Scout Jamboree in London in 1920, the Knoxville Council was represented by more Scouts than any other council in the United States. John's health began to decline in 1935. He resigned from his role the following year.
When he officially retired, he was asked to remain on the team as "Scout Executive Emeritus." Following John's retirement, he and his wife moved to Miami, FL, but they returned to Knoxville and to the camp in the Smokies every year. After returning to Florida in the fall of 1943, John suffered from a stroke, which eventually led to pneumonia. He died at a Miami hospital on Jan. 3, 1944. John was brought back to Knoxville, where he was laid to rest near his beloved parents in the family's plot at Greenwood Cemetery.
