Obituary: John Thomas Moss

John “Johnny” Thomas Moss, 81, of Huntsville, Alabama passed away peacefully at home on Saturday May 11, 2024. He was born on May 8, 1943, to Vila and Thomas Jess Moss in Selmer, Tennessee, raised in Corinth, MS and moved to Rogersville, AL in 1959.

It was there that he met the love of his life, Andrea Gail McKee and they were married in 1963. In that same year he joined his father and brother in the family business, TJ Moss Lumber Company. In 1972, Johnny moved his family to Huntsville, AL and founded Moss Lumber Industries, Inc. in Gurley, Alabama. He and his brother acquired Moss Hardwoods, Inc. in Scottsboro, AL. He retired in March of 2023 after 60 years in the hardwood lumber industry.

Johnny was very active in the community and his church. He was a member of the National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) for 60 years and a long-standing member of the Alabama Forestry Association. He served on the NHLA finance committee for a term of nine years. He served on several bank boards in Huntsville and Decatur, and served on the Memphis Theological Seminary for nine years. He was an elder in the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church for many years and was currently a long-standing member at First United Methodist Church in Huntsville. He was a past member of the Huntsville Rotary Club and supported many youth and civic groups in Gurley, AL

Johnny was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Edward Moss. He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Andrea Gail McKee Moss; his only child, Paige Moss Prozan (Jeff); two grandchildren, Lindsay Paige Murphy (Rob) and Jonathon Alan Prozan (Kate); and three great-grandchildren, who loved their “Pop” so much, Ellie Murphy, John “Jack” Murphy and Mary Murphy.

Johnny was a devoted and generous man who touched the lives of many through his kindness and compassion. Known for his quiet and confident demeanor, he was loved and respected by his family, employees, and friends. His first priority was always his family – he always made sure they had their needs met and then some. He cherished his time with his friends and looked forward to the weekly breakfast and lunch meetings. He was an avid sports fan – you could find him any day and any time watching the University of Tennessee sports.

Johnny will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. His legacy of love, generosity, and strength will continue to live on in the hearts of those he leaves behind.

A special thank you to Dr. Marshall Schreeder and Dr. Jon R. Moody and their wonderful teams for all their exceptional care and guidance. Also, his wonderful caregivers, Tresh, David, Mo and Kim for all the love and support they have provided to our family over the past nine months.

Memorials may be made in memory of Johnny to NHLA P.O. Box 34518 Memphis, TN 38184; Memphis Theological Seminary 168 East Parkway South, Memphis, TN 38104; First United Methodist Church Huntsville; or the Russell Hill Cancer Foundation.

Source: Laughlin Service Funeral Home & Crematory