Gene North
Gene North, of Morristown, Tennessee, left this life from his home to be present with the Lord on Monday, May 26, 2025, with his family around him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Lillie North.
Gene was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was saved at age six at Woodland Park Baptist Church. He spent his youth singing with his family in area churches, then really found his love for music, jazz, and the saxophone and continued that trend at Tennessee Tech, performing with the Troubadors and Vivatones. He continued after graduation with being the Woodwind Instructor in Cleveland City Schools.
Seven years into his teaching, he felt the call to full-time Christian ministry out of Westwood Baptist Church and obtained his Master of Church Music from Southern Seminary. He moved his family to serve at North Cleveland Baptist Church (1976-1984), First Baptist Church, Morristown (1984-1996), then did itinerate ministry forming Yielded Heart until serving at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church, Maryville, TN (2005-2008), Morningside Baptist Church, Morristown, TN (2008-present). Gene loved “his choir” and his church family.
Gene is survived by his wife of over 56 years, Sherry North; children Heidi (Kent) Catron, David (Julie) North, Jon (Holly) North, and Joseph (Michelle) North; nine beloved grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and his sister, Charlotte (Harold) Williams.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, June 1, from 4-6 p.m. at Morningside Baptist Church, 2202 Chestnut Ave, Morristown, Tn. 37814. A service, led by Dr. Kenny Boling, will follow at 6 p.m. at the same location. A private family graveside service will be held at Emma Jarnagin Cemetery in Morristown.
Pallbearers will be Joshua Boling, Micah Catron, Nicholas Catron, Nathan Catron, Jared McWhorter, Jonathan North, Mitchell North, and Samuel North.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to First Priority of America, Attn: Northeast Tennessee District, PO Box 473, Brentwood, Tn. 37027, or online at https://firstpriority.club/.
Arrangements are by Stetzer-Bales Funeral Home.