Thomas Moss "Rusty" Heery

Rusty Heery, he was always known as Rusty, was born on Easter Sunday, April 1, 1956. He died on June 23, 2025, a little over 2 months into his 70th year. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marguerite Moss Heery and James Thomas Heery, Jr. Born in Atlanta, Rusty grew up and spent most of his adult life in Athens. He was a 1974 graduate of Athens Academy, where he excelled in the classroom and on the basketball court. He graduated from Hampden Sydney College in Virginia with a BA in economics in 1978.

After a short stint with the C&S Bank in LaGrange, Rusty moved back to Athens to work with his father at Heery’s Clothes Closet. With hard work, good ideas, and a keen eye for fashion, Rusty moved Heery’s from its original location to the larger prime location it occupies today in downtown Athens, and he turned it into one of the south’s premiere women’s fashion businesses. At one point, he owned and managed Four Seasons Women’s Fashions in 5 Points, Heery’s, Too on Clayton Street, and Heery’s Clothes Closet, also on Clayton Street. He was also owner/manager of Lafayette Square Apartments in Cobbham. He was a very busy man.

Like his father, Rusty believed in downtown Athens. His civic involvement included being president of the Downtown Development Authority and being an outspoken voice for a family friendly downtown Athens. He was a lifetime member of Athens First United Methodist Church.

Rusty was one of Kelley’s Boys at the YMCA, and he spent many summers in Tallulah Falls, GA, at the Athens Y Camp. He had a lifelong love of basketball and was always likely to show up to watch his sons, nephews, and granddaughters play ball. Golf with friends, grilling the perfect beef tenderloin, and spending time at Lake Seed with his granddaughters (Millie and Margaret) were some of the particular joys of his life. Athens will be just a bit duller without Rusty Heery in the mix.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Ginger Heery; their children, Frank (Amber), James, and Ben Heery; 2 granddaughters, Millie and Margaret Heery; his brother, Rip Heery (Lee); and nephews, Clayton (Chelsea), Sam (Samantha), and Henry Heery (Ginny Lane).

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Sunday, June 29, at Athens First United Methodist Church. Visitation with family will be from 1:00-2:00 p.m., at the church.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made to the Athens YMCA or to Athens First United Methodist Church.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.