Thomas Earls Obituary

With a twinkle in his eye and a story ever ready on his lips, Thomas Earls, or Emory to his friends, took his final bow on June 28, 2025 in Afton, Tennessee. Born on June 10, 1932, in Vallscreek, WV to Sherman and Linda Earls, Thomas was oldest of eight Children. Thomas spent his 93 years sowing seeds of love, laughter, and unforgettable memories that have blossomed into an enduring legacy. He was a humble man whose dedication to his family and zest for life were as inspiring as they were infectious.
Thomas was an Army Veteran, accomplished locksmith, a former hardware store owner, and the maintenance superintendent extraordinaire. When he wasn't tinkering, you could find him camping under the stars, pedaling his bike through Browns Mills, New Jersey, where he previously resided, or meeting his friends at the "office". A fond reminder of Mark Twain's quote, "Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life," he often said that his hobbies weren't just pastimes but the spice of his life.
Thomas is survived by his loving wife, Elizabeth "Georgianna" Earls. Siblings: Sue (Bobby) Waltz and Marjie Earls. A packed crowd of Children who will miss his loving presence: Rita (Mike) Elbertson, Ricky (Melanie) Earls, Ginny-Sue (Jason) DeDreux, Raymond (Ruth) Gentner, and Erick Gentner. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the apples of his eye and include Tina (Frank) Custode, Amy (Matt) Amato, Michael (Pam) Elbertson, Ashley (Jon) Sherrill, Michael (Jillian) Rodriguez, Raymond (Karen) Gentner, Thomas "Tommy" Gentner. Great Grandchildren: Isabell Brown, Ryan "RJ" Smith, Sara Smith, Hannah Elbertson, Makenna Sherrill, Jonathan Sherrill JR, Jolie and Maddox Rodriguez.
We also cannot thank Gentiva Hospice of Greeneville and his private caregivers, Charity Campbell & Danya Olson during this time of need.
As we say goodbye, let's gather to celebrate the life of Thomas, a man who truly embodied the spirit of Maya Angelou's words: "My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style." Join us on Friday, July 11, 2025 at 2:00 PM EDT at the Mountain Home National Cemetery, 53 Memorial Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37684.
In leu of flowers denotations can be made to Alzheimer's Tennessee:
https://www.alztennessee.org/give/memorials-other-gifts/memorial-gifts
In the spirit of Thomas' love for stories and shared memories, we encourage you to leave your memories and upload photos to the memorial page. Let's remember him as he was, full of life, love, and a dash of mischief.