Pastor Gary Leon Devine

Pastor Gary "Leon" Devine, age 68 of Etowah, went to his heavenly home to be with his Lord and Savior at Blount Memorial Hospital on Wednesday, October 11, 2017.  He was born on April 13, 1949, and was raised in the Citico/Vonore area.  He spent the majority of his life in McMinn County.  He became a master carpenter and pastored several churches in the area before becoming the full-time/Senior Pastor at Church on the Rock in Etowah, which he founded in 1989.

Leon accepted the call to preach in January 1971.  He preached his first sermon shortly after that on January 17, 1971 and he preached his last sermon on Sunday, October 8, 2017.  He has led many people to the Lord Jesus Christ during his years in ministry.  He loved the Lord with all of his heart and committed his life to ministry.

He will always be remembered as being quick witted and down-to-earth.  He was always ready with a funny joke and he had a nickname for everyone he knew.  He will be sorely missed by those who knew him, and especially his family and church family.

Pastor Leon was preceded in death by his father and mother, Jake and Dorothy Millsaps Devine of Madisonville, as well as three brothers, Ted, Beechard, and Larry Devine, also of Madisonville.

Leon is survived by his loving wife of over 49 years, Donna Malone Devine; two sons, whom he loved dearly, John and his wife Stephanie Carden Devine of Niota and Jake Devine of Etowah; two brothers, James "Puny" and Nancy Devine of Greenback, whom he considered his best friend, and Ronnie Devine of Etowah; seven sisters, Geneva Best of Madisonville, Ivy and Jack Harrill of Madisonville, Kathy Devine of Maryville, Geraldine Devine of Maryville, Esther and Ray Cain of Madisonville,  Josephine and Gene Ogle of Riceville, and Glenna Aguirre; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law include Gene Burke of Decatur, Deloris and Bob Mahoney of Athens, Debbie Cansler of Etowah and Alan Robinson of Decatur.

A Celebration of Life and Home-going for Pastor Leon will be held in the chapel of Serenity Funeral Home in Etowah on Sunday, October 15, 2017.  The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. - 7 p.m., with the funeral service beginning at 7:00 p.m. with Rev. Johnny Hope officiating.

The family and friends will meet at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 16, 2017 at the funeral home and will proceed to McMinn Memory Gardens for the 11:00 a.m. committal service.  A white dove release will conclude the service.

Pallbearers will be Terry Thompson, Dennis Johnson, Sr., Dennis Johnson, Jr., Zack Arwood, Tyler Weiss, Dave Elliott, Stacy Parrott and Leon Shutt.  Honorary pallbearers will be Stanley Headrick and Frank Carden.

You may send online condolences to www.serenityfunerals.com and sign the guestbook.

Serenity Funeral Home & Cremation Center of Etowah is in charge of the arrangements.