John W. Geagley Jr.

Published 9:34 am Wednesday, May 13, 2015

John W. Geagley Jr., 83, of Elizabethton, went home from his residence on Monday, May 11, 2015, following an illness of one year. He can now jog in heaven on streets that are paved with gold.
John was born December 6, 1931 in Bristol, Va., and had lived in Elizabethton most of his life. He was preceded in death by his parents, J W “Shorty” Geagley Sr. and Mary Lee Brown Geagley, and by his sister, Patsy Geagley Jones, in March of this year.
He was a 1950 graduate of Elizabethton High School and a 1954 graduate of East Tennessee State Teachers College (ETSU). He was an active member of First United Methodist Church where he served as church treasurer. John served on the Administrative Council, the Staff Parish Committee, the Finance Committee and served as a church usher. He represented his church as the Lay Leader to the Annual Conference at Lake Junaluska, N.C., for several years. He was active with his church team serving Food For The Multitude when his church was serving meals.
When John was in high school he worked for the old Fred Moore Clothing Store in downtown Elizabethton. Following his college graduation he worked for American Bemberg Corporation until he took a position with Summers-Taylor as a highway cost estimator. John worked at Summers-Taylor until his retirement in 1997.
Physical fitness was very important to John as he had jogged thousands of miles throughout Elizabethton. Everyone knew him as the man who jogged on West G. Street.
John loved all kinds of sports, but his favorite sport was watching the University of Tennessee Volunteer football team. He was a loyal Elizabethton High School fan and attended all of the home football and basketball games. In the summer he was a season ticket holder and attended practically all of the home games for the Elizabethton Twins.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Peggy Jennings Geagley, of the home; a daughter, Betsy Geagley, and two sons, Kelly Geagley and wife Cherie, and Matt Geagley and wife Chris, all of Elizabethton; a step-son, Tommy Wetzel, of the home; six grandchildren, Josh Wandell, Elizabeth Wandell, SSgt Neal Wandell, Sage Geagley, Karter Geagley and Katie Geagley; and three great-grandchildren, Jayla Wandell, Deanndra Bordies and Noah Drake Lytton. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
A service to honor the life of John W. Geagley Jr. will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 14, at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Ray Amos and the Rev. Todd Hallman officiating. Dave Robbins will offer a eulogy for Mr. Geagley at the service. Music will be under the direction of Chris and Tonya Hughes and Fred Goodwin, pianist. Additional music will be provided by David Arney, organist. Active pallbearers, who are requested to meet at the church at 1:45 p.m. Thursday, will be Art Smithdeal, Rick Smithdeal, Joe Smithdeal, Mike Jennings, Sage Geagley, Tony Wilson and Dave Robbins. Honorary pallbearers will be Richard Grindstaff, Jim Hardin, Jennings Wagner, Richard Tetrick, Jimmy Jones, Tommy Horton, David Wetzel, Reece Cole and C.L. Greer. The family suggest those attending the funeral service wear Tennessee Orange and White in recognition of John’s loyalty to the University of Tennessee athletic programs. Interment will follow the service at Happy Valley Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, in the Fireside Room of Tetrick Funeral Home. Those who wish to omit flowers may make donations in memory of John Geagley to the HVAC Fund of First United Methodist Church, 325 East E Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tetrickfuneralhome.com and signing the guest book.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is serving the Geagley family. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.