David George Gerkin

David George Gerkin, MD, 88 years of age, passed away Friday, October 24, 2025 at the Ben Atchley Tennessee State Veterans Home. He lived a life of service to his country, his community, his patients, and his family.

David was a dedicated and compassionate physician. He received his undergraduate degree from Indiana State University, earned his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine, and completed his residency in Ophthalmology at the Brooke Army Medical Center. He was a founding member of University Eye Specialists, where he practiced for 29 years. He served as Medical Director of Tennessee Valley Eye Center from its inception until 2024. He held various positions of leadership over the years with local, State, and national medical societies, serving as President of the Knoxville Academy of Medicine and Tennessee Medical Association, President of Southeastern Eye Bank Association of America, and Chief of Staff of UT Medical Center, where he was an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology. For 21 years, he was the Editor of the Tennessee Medicine – State Medical Journal.

David served in the U.S. Army as a Lieutenant Colonel from 1963-1971. He retired from the Army as a Colonel. He then served as the Brigadier General of the Tennessee State Guard and was the State Surgeon from 2001 to the present day. He was Waiver Authority for the United States Army for 15 years.

David volunteered countless hours to community organizations, particularly Interfaith Health Center, where he was a member of the Board for 21 years and served as Board Chair. He used his medical skills as an active participant in Remote Area Medical. He was in the 2010 class of Leadership Knoxville. He was also an active member of Lake Hills Presbyterian Church, where his greatest joy was found in singing with the choir.

David was preceded in death by his parents, George and Mary Gerkin, and his son, Thomas David.

David cared for his family with wise counsel, good humor, acts of service, and non-judgmental love. He is survived by his wife of 49 years Sharon Gerkin, as well as his daughters Deborah Gerkin, Rebecca Doody, and Melanie Best Burgess. He had many grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Christina, Samantha (Alex), Sarah (Bret), Emily (Stephen), Olivia, Alex, Lindsey, Hayden, Alexander, Maxwell, Bennett, and Barrett. He is also survived by his sister, Diane and his nephew Bradley (Marti).

The family will be celebrating David’s life on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at Lake Hills Presbyterian Church, with a receiving of friends at 12:00 p.m. followed by a service and committal at 2:00 p.m. Friends and family are invited to attend and pay their respects. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Interfaith Health Center or to Lake Hills Presbyterian Church.

Online condolences may be left at www.berryfuneralhome.com for the Gerkin family.