Obituaries
Margaret “Peggy Sue” Cypherd
July 2, 2020
73, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving husband and family Friday, June 19, 2020, in Farragut, Tennessee, after a long, courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Family received friends from 1 to 2 p.m., Saturday, June 27, at Click Funeral Home Farragut Chapel with a service celebrating Peggy following.
Afterward there was a reception next door at Milestones Event Center.
Peggy was born in Williamston, North Carolina, to William Mullen and Elsie Hyman Schultz, and raised in Robersonville, North Carolina, where she was the homecoming queen and graduated from Robersonville High School in 1964.
After her high school graduation, Peggy attended Richard Bland College for two years. Peggy was a four-time cancer survivor and a pioneer in trying experimental treatments at John’s Hopkins University Hospital that helped save her life and further cancer research.
In 1973, Peggy moved to West Palm Beach, Florida, and was hired by Burnup & Sims, Inc, a nationwide infrastructure construction company, and soon met her future husband, John. Peggy happily married John M. Cypherd Jr. June 28, 1974.
In 1980, they started their own engineering and xonstruction company, STS, Inc., located in Orlando. In 1995, they sold the company and retired to the mountains of North Carolina.
In 2016, they wanted to be closer to their daughter and grandchildren and moved to Farragut. Peggy loved spending time with her family and pets.
She enjoyed adventure and travel, gardening, playing golf, Purdue football games and Corvettes.
Peggy touched many lives with her inspirational stories and passion for life, and her Southern accent captured the hearts of everyone she met.
Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, William Mullen and Elsie Hyman Schultz; father-in-law, Donald Schultz; brothers, Thomas Mullen, James T. Taylor and Kenneth H. Taylor; aunt, Elizabeth Hyman Taylor; and uncle, James W. Taylor Jr.
Peggy is survived by her husband of 46 years, John M. Cypherd Jr. of Knoxville; daughter, Kathryn R. Nagy and husband, Philip, of Knoxville; sons, Christopher T. Cypherd and wife, Ronda, of Orlando; Robert Gregory Cypherd and wife, Gail, of Fishers Island, New York; John M. Cypherd III and wife, Stacy, of Tampa; daughter, Sonya Gauer, of Orlando; brother, Dallas W. Taylor, and wife, Ann, of Greenville, North Carolina.; sister-in-law, Toni C. Taylor, of Greenville; niece, Bebee Mullen Bugge and husband, Adam, of Thief River Falls, Minnesota; surrogate son, Peter Zike and fianceé Sonia, of El Paso, Texas; 13 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
In Lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to UT Hospice and the Pancreatic Cancer Research.
Donna Brown Bocik
June 4, 2020
Donna Brown Bocik, age 57, passed away early Sunday, May 25, 2020. Her final moments were surrounded with love and care from her family in her home in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Donna was born and raised in East Tennessee, treasuring the mountains nearby her whole life.
She was a member of First Farragut United Methodist Church, where she was active in the children’s ministry and VBS for several years.
Donna was a devoted, compassionate and empowering mother. She fought breast cancer with the support of her husband to see their two girls graduate school this year and pursue their passions. Donna was one of the kindest, most admirable and beautiful souls to ever walk this earth, and will be missed by so many.
She undoubtedly loved her puppy, creating new craft ideas with her friends and Disney movies.
Her deepest love was for her family. She was active in the lives of her girls: helping out in the classroom, going to her daughter’s orchestra concerts and being a dance mom. Her calming advice helped guide her eldest daughter through her recent college years.
Donna also traveled to countless dance competitions to be her youngest daughter’s support system and motivation for her to achieve her dancing dreams.
She is survived by her husband of 31 years, Todd; daughters, Kaitlyn and Brenna; parents, Sandra Hatcher and William Brown; sibling, Lisa Mallory; and several other family members and countless friends whom she loved.
Family received friends from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 27, at Click Funeral Home Farragut Chapel. A service to celebrate Donna’s life followed at 6:30 p.m., with the Rev. Chuck Powell officiant.
In lieu of flowers, make memorials in Donna’s name to Thompson Cancer Survival Center (https://www.thompsoncancer.com/giving/ways-to-contribute/).
Nancy Livesay Willis
April 23, 2020
Nancy Livesay Willis of Farragut passed away Thursday afternoon, April 16, at Parkwest Medical Center.
Nancy is preceded in death by her parents, Robert B. Livesay and Matilda K. Livesay, and sister, Carol L. Price.
She is survived by her husband of 62 years, John D. Willis; son, Dr. N. Dale Willis (Kristina); daughter, DeAnne W. Teague; five grandchildren: Chloe Teague, Ian Willis, Nathan Willis, Callie Teague and Dawson Willis; uncle, Jack Livesay; niece, Jennifer P. Miller; nephew, Brent Price, and several cousins.
Nancy attended Virginia Intermont College in Bristol and Milligan College, and received her Masters from the University of Tennessee.
She was 2nd lieutenant in the Civil Air Patrol. Nancy was a member of Union Cumberland Presbyterian Church, a member of Andrew Bogle NSDAR in Knoxville and a member of Farragut Garden Club.
Private services for immediate family were held Sunday, April 19, with interment in Union Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date at Union Cumberland Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Leonard Turner and cousin Sheldon Livesay, of One Accord Ministry, officiating.
Nancy was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who loved her friends and enjoyed her clubs and Bible studies. Foremost in her life was her faith in Jesus Christ, and we are thankful for her testimony.
Galen Oppegard
April 16, 2020
When an explosion crippled the Apollo 13 spacecraft, Galen was chosen by NASA to be part of a team of elite rocket scientists who worked in Houston to analyze “the problem.” Galen was a cryogenics expert who worked for Boeing, Lockheed and Oak Ridge National Lab. Like many in “The Greatest Generation,” Galen came from humble beginnings. He was born in 1934, near Lanesboro MN, to Annette and Alfred Oppegard. Their farmhouse had no electricity or running water. Galen and his brothers walked to the one room schoolhouse. Galen went on to graduate from the U. of Minnesota. He married Joan McAffee, and was blessed with 50 years of marriage until her passing. They loved their eight children: Patricia Dueber, Peter Oppegard-1988 Olympic Champion in Pairs Figure Skating, Peggy Thomas, Pamela Carter, Pierrette Mathes, Paulette Foley, Paul Oppegard, and Preston Oppegard. Galen had fun with his sons-in-law: Peter Dueber, Mike Thomas, Bill Foley and daughter-in-law JJ Oppegard. He enjoyed traveling across the U.S. to attend the events and graduations of his 30 grandchildren and his great grandchild, Ella.
Grandchildren: Oppegard: Nolan, Marlie, Jenna, Gavin, Anna, Megan, Olivia, Sophia // Kayla Tyrrell Snider // Dueber: Stephanie, Kaylee, Nicholas // Thomas: Andrew, Will, Brittany, Danielle & husband Kevin Robertson // Carter: Elliot, Madeleine, Eugenia, Hugo, Henry // Mathes: Michael, Julia, John, Joseph, Thomas, Elizabeth // Foley: Kayla, Jack, Adrienne and Great Grandchild: Ella Foley
A celebration of Galen’s life will be held at a later date in the Bunker Hill neighborhood where he had lived since 1977. The children in the neighborhood adored “Mr. Galen” and he cherished them. He will forever be remembered for his kindness.
Donations may be sent online to Galen’s favorite charity, run by his niece, Linda Oppegard Campbell who lives in Africa and provides a school, food and clothing to needy children in Sseya Uganda. preparethewayministry.com
Norma Elizabeth DeFelice
April 9, 2020
Norma Elizabeth DeFelice, age 88, of Knoxville, formerly of Tampa, Florida, and New Bedford, Massachusetts, went home to be with the Heavenly Father on Saturday morning, April 4, 2020. Norma was a loving and caring wife, mother and grandmother. She loved music, dancing, traveling, sewing, puzzles and bowling, but the legacy that she was most proud of leaving behind is her family, especially her grandchildren. She was a happy and proud Nana. Her grandchildren were her everything. She is preceded in death by her husband of nearly 50 years, Peter John DeFelice Jr. She is survived by her son, John Burdett, and wife, Teri of Jacksonville, Florida; daughters, Debbie Loughrey and husband, Charlie of Farragut, Shelley Butler of Tampa, Florida, Donna Vreeland and husband, John of Pelham, Georgia, and Kathy Driscoll of Knoxville; grandchildren, Lindsy and Bradley, Justin and Shannon, Eric and Kelsey, Derek and Caleb. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date with interment in East Tennessee State Veteran’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to ‘Alzheimer’s Association’ for the benefit of Alzheimer’s Disease Research at alz.org. Click Funeral Home, 11915 Kingston Pike, is serving the DeFelice family.
Jack Dale “J D” Miller
April 1, 2020
Jack Dale “J D” Miller, age 84, of Knoxville passed away Friday evening, March 27, 2020 at his home.
J D was born in Lansing, North Carolina. He was a veteran of the U S Marine Corps during the Korean War. J D graduated from Penn State University with a degree in engineering. He was co-owner of Concord Watch, Clock and Jewelry Center and was a master watch maker.
J D is survived by his sons, Eric Marple and Troy Miller; grandchildren, Brody Miller and Colby Miller; brother, Max Miller; several nieces and nephews.
Interment will be in the East Tennessee State Veteran’s Cemetery.
Jerry Donald McMurry
April 1, 2020
Jerry Donald McMurry, 81, died peacefully on March 31, 2020 at his home in Farragut, TN.
He is preceded in death by mother Ruby Walls, his father Harold McMurry, and his step-father William (Bud) Walls.
Jerry is survived by his wife Carolyn McMurry, son Greg McMurry, daughter-in-law Melissa McMurry, and his granddaughters Kelsey McMurry, Madeline Simms and her husband Logan Simms, Ansley McMurry, and Kate McMurry. He was also blessed by his devoted friend, Bobby Cloud.
Mr. McMurry was born August 2, 1938, in Knoxville, TN. He graduated from Knoxville High School in 1956. He married Carolyn Easterday on October 21, 1961. Jerry was a caring husband to his wife Carolyn, a loyal son to his mother Ruby, and a wonderful father to his son and daughter-in-law Greg and Missy. However, he was the most amazing grandfather to his four granddaughters, Kelsey, Maddie, Annie and Kate. His love, devotion, and service to his family came above everything else and was a source of pride and joy to him.
Mr. McMurry was a veteran of the Unites States Air Force. He retired after a long career at the United States Postal Service where he enjoyed working with customers at the Farragut branch. Jerry loved University of Tennessee athletics and cheering on the Vols in basketball and football. He was an avid traveler and loved spending time with his wife at the beach. He loved Christmas, decorations, and giving gifts and always looked forward to the excitement of Christmas morning. Jerry was a long-time member of West Lonsdale Baptist Church and more recently First Baptist of Concord.
Due to the current restrictions on gatherings, the family will have a private graveside service at the Oak Ridge Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the West Lonsdale Baptist Church building fund 2720 Dayton St. Knoxville, TN 379720.
Click Funeral Home Farragut Chapel is serving the McMurry family.
Johnny Stephen Tomlinson
April 1, 2020
On Wednesday March 25, 2020, Johnny Stephen Tomlinson, beloved husband and father, succumbed to cancer in his own home at 78 years of age. John, a resident of Farragut for more than 30 years, was born Sept. 8, 1941, in Hartford City, Indiana. He was one of two sons and daughter to Harley Andrew Tomlinson and Mary Beatrice (Evans) Tomlinson.
He is preceded in death by his son, John Junior Tomlinson, and both his siblings, Emma Jean Jones (sister) and Thomas Michael Tomlinson (brother).
John enlisted in the U.S. Navy in March 1960 and received the rank of Chief Warrant Officer (CW3) prior to receiving his commission. After 20 years of honorable service during the Vietnam War and as an Electronics and Communications officer, he retired at the rank of Lieutenant (0-3).
After his military service, John led a successful career in electrical and civil engineering across multiple industries around the world.
Aside from traveling the world with his family, John had many passions including fishing, diving and was a GIA graduate gemologist.
John leaves behind his loving wife, Patcharee Thipayarat Tomlinson, of 41 years; daughters, Priscilla Anne Tomlinson (Colm Doyle) and Rebecca Lynn Crothers (Jared Crothers); and grandchildren, Ava Priscilla Doyle, Ella Kate Crothers and Nolan Allen Crothers. Private viewing was held Monday, March 30, at Click Funeral Home in Knoxville.
A public service in Hartford City, Indiana, is pending resolution of the COVID-19 pandemic.
May you forever more have smooth sailing, fair winds and following seas.