Bj Church

BJ Church, 84, of Johnson City, passed away Saturday, March 12, 2016. BJ was a lifelong resident and was the son of the late Hartsell and Carrie Sue Church. After attending Asbury Elementary/High School, BJ joined the U.S Army and served in the Marshal Islands where the Hydrogen Bomb was tested. Returning from his military service he served as Union Leader for the United Paint Contractors of East Tennessee before launching his own paint contracting business of BJ Church Company, Inc. Mr. Church was a business and political leader for over 60 years in Washington County, donating his time, talent, and funding, benefiting many nonprofit local charities , such as the Boys & Girls Clubs and Girl Scouts of American Camp. BJ Church Company as one of the larger employers in Johnson City supported and helped to elevated the lives of many families in our area. BJ was a private pilot and dedicated Board Member of the Watauga Volunteer Fire Department. Mr. Church was a city developer who saved and renovated historical properties such as the Austin Springs Elementary School transforming into a housing facility for the James H. Quillen Medical School students. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Sally McCroskey Church; daughter, Connie Grissom and her husband, Fuller Grissom; brother Virgil Church; niece Jo Graves; grandchildren, Cody Howington and Savannah Stevens; great grandchildren, and great nieces and nephews. The family of BJ Church will receive friends from 5 to 7 PM on Tuesday, March 15th, 2016, in the Morris-Baker Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 7 PM with Rev Paul Crowe officiating. The graveside committal service will be conducted at 1PM Wednesday, in the Monte Vista Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Jamey Gooding, Fuller Grissom, Junie Graves, Keith Graves, Alan Stevens and Steve Webb. The Boone Dam Post # 4933 will accord military honors. Minister, family and friends are requested to meet at the funeral home by 12:30 PM Wednesday to go in procession to the cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. www.lls.org.