There can never be any doubt that Gerald Dean Tomberlin, Sr. , 84, cherished four things deeply – community, faith, athletic competition, and his family. The son of Luther Tomberlin and Maymee Drake, he was born in the Beech Glen community on August 1, 1938 and transitioned into eternity on September 8, 2022. He was lovingly raised by his mother and grandmother until Maymee married Jake Drake. Gerald was preceded in death by his mother and stepfather Maymee and Jake Drake, his father Luther Tomberlin, and an infant brother.

Left to cherish his memory and example are his beloved wife of 64 years Nora Sue Flanery Tomberlin; nine children - Dean (Renee) Tomberlin of Burnsville; Bill (Sherrie) Tomberlin of Asheville; Sue (Christopher) Parrett of Rigby, Idaho; Cindy Whitt of Mars Hill; Tom (Meredith) Tomberlin of Apex; Ross (Michaela) Tomberlin of Anderson, SC; Chris (Ronnie) Cutshall of Mars Hill; Jon (Kahea) Tomberlin of Suwanee, GA; and Heidi (Shane) Allison of Marshall; twenty-six grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; his sister Sharon (Roger) Jackson of Drexel; and numerous extended family and friends.

Gerald's family will receive friends at Robbie Capps Memorial Chapel of Blue Ridge Funeral Service on Sunday, September 11 from 4-7pm. His funeral service will be held Monday, September 12 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 91 Monticello Road, Weaverville at 12 noon. Burial will follow at the family cemetery.

Flowers are welcome or memorials in Gerald's honor may be made to Madison High School Men's Basketball team, 5740 US Hwy 25/70, Marshall, NC 28753.

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