John Waller Obituary

John Waller

November 16, 2024

John Edmund Waller, Jr., 91, of Weaverville, NC and formerly of Kingsport, TN, died peacefully at his home on Saturday, November 16, 2024, surrounded by his family.

Ed, as he was best known, was born in Asheville, NC to the late John E. Waller, Sr. and Inez Johnson Waller. He grew up in Asheville and spent several years of his childhood on his grandmother's farm in Stuart, VA, during WWII. He was a member of the United States Marine Corps and served his country in Korea.

Ed's career began in Asheville, NC with a summer job at McCarley & Co. He worked as a stockbroker and later opened an office in Kingsport, TN. He later joined J.C. Bradford & Co. where he became a partner. After J.C. Bradford being sold to Payne Webber and later to UBS, he joined Morgan Stanley where he retired in 2016 after 50 plus years as a financial advisor. Ed loved the outdoors, trout fishing, offshore fishing, hunting Elk in Wyoming and Colorado, but was the happiest on his boat in Hilton Head Island, SC and the Florida Keys.

Ed is survived by his wife of 48 years, Suzie Tatem Waller; daughters, Alice Waller (Fernando), Christie Heuerman (Whitney), Holly Tomlinson Scheve (Gary), Sissy Tomlinson Hopson (Richard);daughter-in-law, Portia Tomlinson; grandchildren, Julianna Olup (John), Emily Lord, Jim Lord (Shea), Oliver Watts, Ben Dannemiller, Luke Dannemiller, Olivia Dannemiller Wright (Ed), Holly Hopson, Ann Parr Scheve Waples, Ned Scheve, Matthew Tomlinson, Betsy Worthley (Chad) and Katie Tomlinson; fifteen great grandchildren. Also surviving Ed are special first cousins, Pat Waller Curry, Alice Anderson Schneider, Jane Waller Cox (Toby), Betty Mason Parker (Andrew), Donald Anderson; numerous cousins, niece, Karen Shannon and a nephew, Brian Shannon (Susan).

In addition to his parents, Ed is preceded in death by a sister, Nancy Waller Shannon (Bob), son Jack Tomlinson, mother of his children, Patricia Brewer Tomlinson Waller and a nephew, Kevin Shannon.

Ed was a communicate of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Kingsport, TN for many years and is a member of Bright Hope Laurel United Methodist Church in Mars Hill, NC.

A memorial service will be held 1:00pm Friday, December 20, 2024, at Bright Hope Laurel United Methodist Church, 271 Laurel Valley Road, Mars Hill, NC 28754. Reverend Shonnie Streder and Reverend Jim Kuse will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bright Hope Laurel United Methodist Church, 271 Laurel Valley Road, Mars Hill, NC 28754 or the charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org