Gerald Ray Fender

Gerald Ray Fender, born October 23, 1946 in Spruce Pine, NC; raised in Burnsville, NC; lived in Knoxville, TN. Gerald received his ultimate healing on October 13, 2022 when he finally got to see his precious Jesus face to face. When asked a few weeks before his passing if he was looking forward to seeing Jesus, he replied with a glowing smile, “Oh, my YES!”

Gerald graduated as Valedictorian from East Yancey High School in Burnsville, NC where he also drove the school bus. He joined the army after high school, and was a veteran of the Vietnam War during which he was stationed in Germany working on guidance systems for long-range missiles. After the Army, Gerald attended Auto Diesel College in Nashville, TN and worked as a mechanic for Overnight Trucking in Atlanta, GA. He attended Welch Bible College in Nashville, TN, graduating in 1973 Summa Cum Laude receiving a BA degree. While at Welch College he met and married Gail Underwood, and together they had three children, Michelle, Brett, and Darren. After Welch College, Gerald went on to obtain his Master of Arts in Biblical Language and Literature in 1975 from Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC. He remained at Bob Jones completing the required class hours for a PhD, but family responsibilities prohibited the completion of the dissertation project.

In 1975, Gerald began working as a Field Representative for Uniway, Inc., a buying service which moved he and his family all around the country, and finally to Knoxville, TN. Here he became the owner of two Uniway franchises, one in Knoxville and one in Nashville. He sold those stores in 1984 and opened Anthony Lynn Furniture store on Chapman Highway in Knoxville.

In 1985, he sold the furniture store and began full-time ministry as Senior Pastor of Shady Grove Free Will Baptist Church in Whitesburg, TN where he served until God laid on his heart to build a church in Knoxville, TN. Gerald and Gail were commissioned as a Free Will Baptist Home Missionaries in 1990 and began the ministry of planting a church. He traveled extensively across East Tennessee and Western North Carolina speaking to numerous organizations raising funds for the new church. He researched the demographics of the Knoxville area to locate and purchase land, which he later did in the Hardin Valley community. He participated in the design and construction of the building while holding services, first in his home and later at Webb School until the completion of the building. In 1995, during the completion of the home mission project Gail passed away after 24 years of marriage. In 1996, Gerald married his current wife Joy Avans Fender, who helped with the completion of the project. He served as Senior Pastor of Hardin Valley Free Will Baptist Church until 2001.

From 1984–2001, Gerald also owned Treko Marketing, Inc. where he marketed a variety of products over the years. From 2001-2008, Gerald taught at the Providence Church Bible Institute in Knoxville, and also lead a small group affectionately called the “Oldies but Goodies”. In 2008, he became the Senior Pastor of Faith Free Will Baptist in North Knoxville where he served until 2018 when he retired due to illness. During his years in the ministry for the Free Will Baptist denomination, Gerald served in various other positions including Chairman of the Tennessee Board of Foreign Missions and President of the East Tennessee Ministers Conference.

Gerald was preceded in death by his first wife, Gail Underwood Fender; his parents, Clay and Lila Fender; and his brother Garry Fender. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Joy Avans Fender; his daughter Michelle (David) Kirk; his son, Brett (Kimberly) Fender; his son, Darren (Christina) Fender; his sister Sandra Kaye (Richard) Hall and twelve grandchildren whom he loved dearly!

Gerald Fender was a watchful shepherd over his flock. He was a gifted teacher of God’s Word. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He held many positions and titles, but his favorite was Grandpa!

The family would like to thank Hannah Bennett, Chelsie Farr, Phyllis McNutt and Nancy Taylor for the loving care you provided, which allowed Gerald to remain at home until the Lord called him home. We will be eternally grateful!

We would also like to thank all our friends and family who have walked along side us during this long and difficult journey. We could not have gotten through this without your prayers and support. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, November 5th in the chapel at Berry Funeral Home on Chapman Hwy., Knoxville, TN. The family will receive friends 1-3 p.m. Service to follow officiated by Rev. Glenn Poston. The service will be live-streamed on the Berry Funeral Home Facebook page. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be offered at www.berryfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of Gerald Fender to the Free Will Baptist Home Missions (fwbnam.com/give), the Parkinson’s Foundation (parkinson.org) or the Pat Summitt Foundation (patsummitt.org).

But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy 4:5-7