Thomas Yancey Obituary

Thomas Bragg Yancey III passed away peacefully on January 8, 2023, after a long and valiant battle with cancer. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him, but we take comfort in the knowledge that he rests in his heavenly home with those who came before.

Yancey was a loving husband and father, lifelong Presbyterian, grateful Baptist, writer and

novelist, and dedicated environmentalist. Throughout his life, he was devoted to his family and friends, and to the excellence of the written word. He served his country as a Navy Corpsman in the Vietnam War, on a hospital ship for American Marines around the port of Da'Nang. Just as the eternal wordsmith Walt Whitman did during the American Civil War, Yancey held the hands and gave comfort to all sick and dying soldiers in his care. Afterward, Yancey was a consummate journalist, absolutely dedicated to the search for truth. His profession took him from working as a columnist and editor in his beloved hometown of Kingsport, Tennessee, to a New York Times affiliate in South Florida, to the international wire service United Press International. Finally, he fulfilled his passion for local journalism in what he always described as "the most beautiful place on earth," Greene County, Tennessee. Throughout his career he won many accolades, but what he treasured most was his family, friends, and community. His legacy of truth and love will endure in all our hearts.

The family will receive friends from Thursday 4-6 PM at Jeffers Funeral and Cremation Service downtown. A private celebration of life will be on Friday at 10:00 AM in the Christ chapel of Greeneville First Presbyterian Church. The public may view a live stream in the main sanctuary of the church and may join the family for military honors in the courtyard following the celebration of life by the Greene County Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Sierra Club.