David Allen "Rusty" Veley Obituary (1956 - 2016)

David Allen "Rusty" Veley, 59, passed away unexpectedly, Tuesday morning. David was born in Louisville, KY, on November 23, 1956. He grew up in Cape Coral, FL., and Greeneville, TN. He graduated from North Fort Myers High School FL, in 1975. After school, he joined the U.S. Air Force, for 5 years, and was stationed for most of that time, in Okinawa, Japan, where he served as a Chaplain's assistant. After leaving the service, he attended Harding University, in Searcy, Arkansas. He returned to Greeneville, and it became his permanent home. He worked for Plus Mark, then Link Hills Country Club, for many years. He most recently worked at Greene Valley Developmental Center for several years. David was blessed with many gifts. He had a quirky sense of humor, a talented hand for illustration, a passion for writing, and a rich voice. He had a sense of humor, like no other, and expressed it in his illustrations and writings. Writing was a creative outlet for his unique perspective on life. David enjoyed singing, and was a member of his high school chorus, and sang in choirs of several local churches. He was a cast member in two local productions of "Oklahoma". He also sang in a number of Christmas concerts with The Greater Greeneville Chorale. He is survived by his father and stepmother, Rev. Robert E. and Marilyn Veley, of Peachtree City, GA; sister and brother in law, Barbara and Scott Behan, of Knoxville; sister, R. Ann Manchester, of Knoxville; stepsisters and their husbands, Karen Bieber, of Lebanon, NH, Gayle and Kevin Lynch, of Salem, NH, Lee Ann and Chuck Trimble, of Fayetteville, GA; uncle and aunt, Alan and Teresa Russell, of Lynchburg, VA; aunt, Ruth Russell, of Knoxville; niece and nephew, Sarah and Paul Smith, and their daughter, Holland McCrea Smith; cousins, Anne Marie and Drew Friesen, Maria and Dan Smith, Melissa and Mike Horning, and Michelle and Steve Esterline. He is preceded in death by his mother, Lynette Russell Veley; grandparents, Jesse and Mabel Russell, of Tusculum; Rev. Earnest and Alice Veley, of Cato, NY; aunt and uncle, Elaine and Nayland Clark; uncle, Buford Russell. From David, we could all learn to march to our own drummer, and be true to ourselves. The family will receive friends, Saturday, April 23, 2016 from 1-2pm at Jeffers Funeral Service Downtown. The funeral service will follow visitation, in Jeffers Downtown Chapel. To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of David Allen "Rusty" Veley, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store. print Print Obituary