Gary Joe Easterwood, age 86, of Tuscumbia, passed away on September 5, 2026. The visitation will be 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at Morrison Funeral Home in Tuscumbia. The funeral will be held in the chapel at 2:00 p.m. with Jerry Ray officiating the service. The burial will be at Colbert Memorial Gardens.
Joe proudly served in the U.S. Army. He earned his associate’s degree from Samford University, a bachelor’s degree in general studies from Samford University, and a Master of Arts from University of North Alabama. He retired after 32 years from AT&T, retired ordained Baptist minister after 30 plus years, and was a member of the River City Quartet. He attended First Southern Baptist in Muscle Shoals. He was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Eta Sigma, and Chi Sigma lota, and the Cullman Masonic Lodge 421.
He is survived by his wife, Opal Easterwood; children, Sean Easterwood (Tonya), Tonya Palmer (Chris); stepchildren, Mark “Yogi” Welborn, Gary Welborn (Ann), Alf Welborn (Amanda); grandchildren, Tamara Easterwood, Kolten Easterwood, Sierra Palmer, Kyle Clark, Lane Welborn, Karley Welborn Davis, Macey Welborn; and special niece, Diane Faust.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Easterwood and Ila Mae (Cook) Paris.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to your favorite charity.
The family would like to extend special thanks to Elder Care Services, Compassus Hospice, and Burns Nursing Home.
Please leave condolences for the family at morrisonfuneralhomes.com.
