Tommy Edwin Moles
Tommy Edwin Moles, 88, of Andersonville passed away peacefully Oct. 16, 2026. He was a longtime member of Lone Mountain Baptist Church.
Tommy proudly served his country in both the U.S. Air Force and the Navy Reserve. He served four years in the Air Force as an airman first class, working as a mechanic in Reno, Nevada, and Okinawa, Japan. He later joined the Navy Reserve, where he served for more than 20 years as a member of the Seabees Naval Construction Battalion. His service included being called to active duty in Saudi Arabia during operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
In addition to his military service, Tommy worked as a butcher for East Tennessee Packing House and as a sheet-metal worker. He spent most of his civilian career at Y-12 in Oak Ridge, where he eventually retired.
Tommy was a devoted family man and a proud patriot who deeply loved his family and his country. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh. Intelligent and wise, he was always reading about and observing the world around him. He knew something about just about everything — and he was never short on opinions! His heart, however, was even bigger than his opinions, and he was generous to those he loved.
Tommy enjoyed family gatherings, shooting and working at the sawmill with his boys, collecting antiques, visiting with friends, spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and watching the sunset from the glider in his front yard. Above all, Tommy leaves behind a lasting testimony of faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Ollie Moles; sisters, Betty Reagan, Thelma Hickman, Lois Phillips and Carrie Humphrey; and son, Adam Moles.
He is survived by his wife, Gayle Moles; sister, Marie Cole; brother, Ralph Moles (Nellie); sons, Tommy Moles (Traci), Eddie Moles (Robin), Jason Moles (Stephanie), Matt Moles (Lisa) and Josh Moles (Jade); grandchildren, JR Moles, Brittany Moles, Whittany Youtsey, Caleb Jacks, Josh Moles, Mikayla Moles, Jordan Phillips, Sadie Moles and Jesse Clowers; six precious great-grandchildren; and many other family members and friends.
The family would like to express its heartfelt gratitude to the nurses and staff at Ben Atchley Veterans’ Home and the UT Hospice nursing team for the compassionate care they provided to Tommy and his family. The family is especially grateful to Christina of Ben Atchley Veterans’ Home and Katrina of UT Hospice, who consistently went above and beyond in providing care and support. May God bless each of you tenfold for your kindness.
The family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Emory Valley Baptist Church. The funeral will follow, with the Rev. Doug Fielden and Matt Moles officiating.
A graveside service will be held at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery on John Sevier Highway. Family and friends are welcome to attend.