Mr. Gerald Michael Denny

Gerald Michael Denny, of Shelbyville, TN, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, May 10, 2026, at Sarah Cannon Cancer Center in Nashville, TN, following a 20-month fight with acute myeloid leukemia. He was born at home on September 2, 1945, in Abingdon, VA, to the late Floyd Washington Denny and Elsie Farmer Denny. He is survived by his life partner of 44 years, Sherry M. Montgomery; his children, Dianna Denny Allen of Knoxville, TN, Christopher Michael Denny and wife Lisa of Bacliff, TX, and Shanna Denny of Charlotte, NC; and his brothers, Herbert “Herb” Denny and wife Sheila of Cape Coral, FL, James “Jay” W. Denny of Wichita Falls, TX, and Howard Denny of La Crosse, WI. Gerald is also survived by his grandchildren, Kayla Allen and Michael Aaron Denny; and his great-grandchildren, Destinee LaRae Allen, Arianna Grace Allen, and Aiden J. Allen Weismueller. Preceding him in death were his daughter, Vicki Yvonne Denny; grandson, Justin Travis Allen; granddaughter, Chrisandra Michelle Denny; brothers, Walter Denny and Paul Denny; sisters, Marjorie Denny, Eula Belle Moore, and Willie Mae Street; and the mother of his children, Martha Denny. Gerald developed an interest in fixing things at an early age, especially motors and engines. He built and raced cars at the Bristol dirt track, now known as Bristol Motor Speedway. He worked for several years at State Motor Company in Bristol, TN, before opening his own gas station and car repair shop in Mountain City, TN. He also attended Bristol Technical Trade School at night. Eventually, Gerald went to work for Daniel Construction Company in Greenville, NC, where he worked his way up to Maintenance Superintendent. His work took him all over the United States, helping build major power plants and industrial facilities, including the Nissan plant in Smyrna, TN, and the Logan Aluminum plant in Lewisburg, KY. In 1990, he transferred to Alcan Aluminum in Shelbyville, TN, where he settled and ended his traveling career. In the 1980s, Gerald developed a passion for computers. He became a self-taught computer specialist and eventually opened GMD Computer Services on Eagle Boulevard, where he served many businesses and individuals for more than 25 years until health issues led to his retirement. Gerald was a very intelligent man who could fix almost anything mechanical and was also an expert carpenter. He loved his family deeply. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Dr. Jonathan Abbas and Allie Smallwood, MSN, APRN, AG-ACNP, of Tennessee Oncology, as well as nurses Hannah, Shae, and Devon at Sarah Cannon Hospital, for their exceptional care, kindness, and support during his illness. A memorial and celebration of life will be announced at a later date. Feldhaus Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.

Mr. Gerald Michael Denny

September 2, 1945 - May 10, 2026