John Ramsey Moss

JACKSON, TN - Funeral services for John Ramsey Moss, age 69, will be held at 12:00 noon, Tuesday, October 11, at Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church with the reverend Sean Ferrell officiating. Burial will follow at Hollywood Cemetery with military honors. Visitation will be from 5-7 October 10, at the North Chapel of Smith Funeral Home and from 10-11 prior to the service Tuesday morning at Saint Luke’s.

John died peacefully at home early Saturday morning following a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer.

A native Jacksonian, he practiced law throughout West Tennessee for more than 40 years also serving as County Attorney. He is survived by his wife Carroll Gilliam Moss of Jackson, Tennessee; his daughter, Lindsay Moss (Todd S.) Wilhite of Jackson, Tennessee; a son, John Ramsey Moss, Jr., of Atlanta, GA; his grandchildren, Jackson Myers Wilhite and Catherine Grace Wilhite; his brother Michael D. (Virginia) Moss of Lookout Mountain, Georgia; and his sister Mary Lu (Randy) Pettigrew, of Jackson, Tennessee. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Catherine Myers Moss; his parents, William P. Moss and Lutitia Myers Moss; and his brother, William P. Moss II.

He was a lifelong active member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, where he served in many capacities, including as a choir member, vestry member, and Lay Eucharistic Minister.

He was a graduate of Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt Law School. He was a Vietnam veteran and a member of the Tennessee Air National Guard as a navigator flying C-130 transport planes. He retired after 20 years of service with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Among his many interests was a passion for nature and the outdoors. He was an avid duck hunter as well as a trap and skeet shooter. He was a long time member of the Rotary Club of Jackson. A skilled chef, he also enjoyed opera, classical music and anything that involved Vandy athletics.

Pallbearers are Todd S. Wilhite, William P. Moss III, Murray McCarroll Moss, Randolph Moss Pettigrew, Michael Preston Pettigrew and Charles Durham Pettigrew.

Honorary pallbearers are Harbert Alexander, Sr,, Robert L. Beare, George “Bud” Dodson, Harry Henry, Dr. Roy Appleton, Dr. J. Woody Forbes, Charles H. Camp and Andrew Hunter Baird.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alice and Carl Kirkland Cancer Center or charity of choice.