Obituary: James Edward Gary

James Edward Gary, age 76, of Oak Ridge, departed this life on November 4 at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge due to complications caused by ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). He was surrounded by his loving family.

Mr. Gary was born on April 7, 1938, in Sale Creek, Tennessee, to Walt and Irene Gary, both of whom proceeded him in death. He graduated from Oak Ridge High School and secured both a B.A. and M.A. from the University of Tennessee.

In more than 40 years serving as a Church of Christ minister, Mr. Gary served congregations in Tennessee, Indiana, and Georgia including Signal Mountain, Mountain Creek, Ringgold, Brainerd, and Harriman churches. Following retirement from the ministry, he worked as a counselor for Knox County Juvenile Court and as a client advocate for Emory Valley Center. Mr. Gary was an avid photographer and golfer.

He was preceded in death by his first wife Martha Gary. He is survived by his wife of 18 years Johnnie Gary and their children Mike (Cheryl) Gary of Huntsville, Alabama, Kathy (Dean) Murphy of Littleton, Colorado, Laura Lynn (Todd) Roland of Jackson, Tennessee, and Greta (Jim) Ownby, Tamara (Keith) Rogers, and Annie (Ron) Cacheiro, all of Oak Ridge. Left to cherish their memories of Grand Daddy, PoPo and Papa Jim are grandchildren and great grandchildren Andrew (Julia), Rachel, Ryan, Madison, Jesse, Alex, Avery, Jay, Jasmine, Bobby, Jacob, Marcus, Mateo, Maria, Nate, Ava, and Jenna. Also, he is survived by his sister Laura (Jim) Waldron of Kingston, Tennessee, and many cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends.

If preferred, in-lieu-of flowers donations may be made to the donor’s charity of choice or The ALS Association Tennessee Chapter, PO Box 40244, Nashville, TN 37204-0244.

On Saturday, November 8, the family received friends from 2 to 4 p.m. at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Oak Ridge (127 Lafayette Drive) with a Celebration of Life at 4 p.m. at the church.