John Scott Muller

John Scott “Jack” Muller Sr. passed away peacefully on August 25, 2025, at the age of 82. He was born in Philadelphia, Pa., to his parents Edward and Matilda Muller. His older brother Eddie preceded him in death. Jack is survived by his wife Sarah “Peggy” Muller, three children and eight grandchildren: Scott Muller (Stacy) and Avery, Laney and Darcy; Beth Muller Capecchi (Remo) and Brogan, Cullie and “Brynne”; and Stephen Muller (Courtney) and Lyla and Alexis.

In 1964, Jack received a bachelor's degree at Covenant College’s prior location in St. Louis, Mo. He completed his master’s degree in Divinity at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pa., served as a youth pastor in Greenville, S.C., and then earned a Ph.D. in Sociology at Florida State University.

He and wife Peggy moved to Lookout Mountain, Ga., in 1971. Here Jack taught sociology as a professor at Covenant College full-time until 2017. Classes included marriage and the family, crime and delinquency, as well as counseling and sociology. During his early teaching years, he co-taught some courses with his wife Peggy, also a licensed marriage and family therapist, and team-taught a marriage and family counseling course with his daughter Beth, also a Ph.D. Jack cherished these years working with students, faculty and staff.

During the early 1980s, he and Peggy produced “The Heart of the Family”, a video series focusing on helping families communicate, spend time together and develop strong bonds. They traveled around the country showing this video and speaking at churches. He won Covenant College’s Iron Thistle Award, which is awarded to the alumnus of the year, in 1986.

Throughout his life, Jack served Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church as an elder. Besides teaching Sunday school and vacation Bible school, he volunteered for Child Evangelism Fellowship.

In 2014, he helped Peggy, Beth and Stephen establish a counseling practice called Grounded Counseling in a beautiful old house in North Chattanooga, and helped with many developments during its foundational years. After retirement, Jack enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, became a mentor for prisoners through Metanoia Prison Ministries and continued to lead a men’s group at the Thrive at Brow Wood assisted living facility. He was active through July of 2025.

Driving forces throughout Jack’s life included family, teaching people and serving God through helping others.

On August 31, 2025, the Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church will host visitation with family from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. and the memorial service afterwards at 5:00 p.m. Immediate family will attend a private burial service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Covenant College’s Jack Muller Memorial Scholarship Fund or Metanoia Prison Ministries.

Arrangements entrusted to Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services Franklin -Strickland Chapel, 1724 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, TN, 37404, 423-265-4414. Please visit our website to share your memories: www.advantagefranklin-strickland.com