Garry Lee Mooney Jr.

Garry Lee Mooney Jr., 51, of Knoxville, TN went home to be with his Savior Wednesday, October 6, 2021, after a short, unexpected illness. Garry was born the first of two children to Garry L. Mooney Sr. and Susan Gail Brown Overall on May 1, 1970, in East Ridge, TN. Garry graduated from East Ridge High School in 1988. He then attended Liberty University and was part of the Baptist Student Union. From there he worked at Blue Cross Blue Shield and met his first wife, Melanie Fleming and they had three children: Peyton Andrew, Garry Micah, and Sara Elizabeth. Garry was called into ministry and ordained in 1998. He was the youth pastor for many churches spanning across Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and Tennessee where he demonstrated an unwavering passion for the youth of this country for 14 years. Garry then returned to Liberty University and received his bachelor’s degree in Religion in 2013 and completed his master’s degree in education from Lee University in 2017. Garry spent the last eight years of his life teaching high school history and Bible. Coaching was a big part of Garry’s life and began when he coached his own children in little league. He also coached high school football teams at Hixson, Lookout Valley, East Ridge, Silverdale, East Lake, Fayette Ware, William Blount, Powell, Arlington, and most recently Smyrna.

He met and married his current wife, Deborah Sellers-Mooney, in 2016, and enjoyed living in Knoxville or what he called “God’s Country”. Garry leaves a legacy from his youth leadership days as well as his coaching days among the countless youth whose lives he touched. He radiated constant positivity through his coaching and teaching that permeated every person he encountered. He has been called a Godly, loyal, family man, a husband, father, brother, son, teacher, storyteller, comedian, student, teammate, coach, fighter, servant, and most importantly, a disciple of Jesus. Garry played a massive role in leading numerous people to Christ. And while at times he doubted whether he had done the job God called him to do, based on the social media testimonies from hundreds of people, we know that he is hearing “Well done good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23).

Garry is preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Martha Dean and Alvis (Buddy) Brown; paternal grandparents Frank and Edna Mooney. Garry is survived by his father, Garry Lee Mooney Sr.; his mother, Susan Gail Overall; wife, Deborah Sellers-Mooney; children, Peyton Andrew, Garry Micah, and Sara Elizabeth; he was a beloved Pops to Abigail and Charlotte, and a stepfather to Julian (Emily) Anders, and Julianne (Casey) Erickson; brother, Ryan Dee Mooney; uncle, Gerald (Susan) Brown and their children, George Brown, Joshua Brown, and Adam Brown.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 7pm, Tuesday October 12th at East Ridge High School football field. The family will receive friends from 3-7pm on October 12th at East Ridge High School football field. There will be a private graveside service at 11am on Wednesday, October 13th for immediate family only.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to https://gofund.me/f8a68226.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com.