J. Eric Jaegge

John Eric Jaegge, 22 of Knoxville, TN, passed away on Saturday, March 12, 2016. Eric was a 2012 honors graduate of Spanish Fort High School. During high school, he was the starting kicker for the football team that won the 5A state championship. He was also voted MVP for the men’s soccer team. Eric attended the University of West Alabama on a scholastic soccer scholarship. He was currently a senior at Auburn University pursuing his BS in Bio-medical Science. He was scheduled to begin Pharmacy School in June, 2016. Eric was fluent in Spanish. He held a black belt 1st degree in Taekwondo. Eric also played the trumpet and loved sports. He was an all-star athlete and was selected to compete in the Alabama State All-Stars Annual Tournament.

Eric loved life and his family and friends with all his heart. He enjoyed snow skiing and the beach. He loved his dog, and was a great chef at 22! He was intellectually interesting, extremely polite, and graciously well-mannered. Eric was adored by all who knew him. He was genuinely kind. He was a wonderful son who made us the most proud parents we could have ever hoped to be. Our son was an amazing athlete, very bright and full of hope for his future. May God bless our Eric. God bless our family, friends and our country. Thank you dear God for the gift of Eric in our lives. May the peace of God keep us all now and forever. Thank you all for your love and support of our precious son.

Eric is survived by his parents, Walter J. and Deborah Jaegge; sister, Andrea C. Jaegge; maternal grandmother, W. Lee Loden and paternal grandparents, Walter Otto and Julie L. Jaegge (Sancartier). Aunts and uncles include Lisa D. and Timothy John Loden, Pamela and Jeff Miller, and Mike Loden of Birmingham, AL; Marc and Laurie Jaegge of British Columbia, Canada; and Phil and Julie Jaegge of Seattle, WA. Great aunts and uncles include Lorraine Doyle, and Gladys and David Martin of Toronto, Canada; Lucy and Boyd Smith of Spring City, TN; and Dr. Liz and Ralph McDaniel of Scottsdale, AZ. Cousins include Bianca Jaegge of British Columbia, Canada; Timothy M. Loden and Jessica and Sipriano Vidales of California; Sasha Nicole and Brandon Phillips of Manchester TN; Erica, Bo, Ellie, Kendall and Hudson Glenn, Jennifer and David Blumberg, and Allan and Sarah Ann Woodall of Birmingham, AL; Kayla Ray Gideon and J. Henry, Emily, Terry and Beth Gideon of Cincinnati, OH; Rachel Gideon and Dr. Phillip Breeding, Seth, Kimberley, Mackenzie, Susan and David Breeding of Knoxville, TN; Donald Smith, Delbert, Donna and Hunter Smith, and Ronnie Gideon of Grandview, TN; Billy Ray and Cathy Gideon of Spring City, TN; Mike, Jeff and Cathy Doyle, Mike, Lorne, and Paul Martin, and Eric, Roy and Ellen Jaegge of Toronto, Canada; Nicole and Pierre of Montreal, Canada; and Sharon Roberts of Chattanooga, TN. Eric also leaves behind numerous other loved ones and dear friends.

The celebration of Eric’s life will be at 4pm on Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham, AL, with visitation beginning at 3pm. Eric will be buried at Spring City Cemetery in Spring City, TN at 3pm on Thursday.