Jerry Lyn Emmons

Jerry Lyn "Nick" Emmons, 81, of Selmer, Tennessee, died at home on June 7, 2025. Nick was born August 1, 1943, to H. N. Emmons and Ethel Lee Chambers Emmons. He married Gerry Carroll Emmons on September 26, 1964, in Knoxville, Tennessee. They resided in Memphis, Tennessee, to complete their education. He received his B.S. degree from Memphis State University, majoring in Education, and later earned his Master's degree in Education.

He loved sports as a spectator, official, coach, and player. He played football, basketball, and baseball at Selmer High and caught for his beloved Memphis State Tigers. A favorite memory was his 1956 Little League team going undefeated, with his game-winning RBI in the final inning.

Nick was active in Scouting and attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He was inducted into the Order of the Arrow and held the record for most merit badges earned well into the 1980s.

He began his career teaching Social Studies at Selmer Junior High School in 1966 and started coaching boys’ basketball in 1967, winning both the County Championship and the Bolivar Invitational that year. He also coached football at Selmer Junior High, boys’ and girls’ basketball at Bethel Springs Junior High, and football at Selmer Middle School, resulting in multiple championships, cherished memories, and a lasting influence on his players and assistants.

Later in his career, Nick moved to the Superintendent's Office, where he started and sponsored the Teen Boards at McNairy Central and Adamsville High Schools. These groups led the way at state conferences and helped shape programs statewide and nationally. He developed "Project Help" after-school tutoring at Selmer Middle School, "Project Graduation" for both county high schools, chartered the McNairy County CANDO/Community Awareness Drug Alliance, served on the Tennessee Drug Alliance, and coordinated the D.A.R.E. and Just Say No programs for the county. He retired with 47 years of service.

During this time, Nick officiated football and basketball games for the TSSAA and primarily managed the swimming pool at the Selmer Golf & Country Club. He also worked occasionally at the Selmer City Pool, continuing both roles until he lost his vision in 2020.

Even after losing his vision, he and Gerry continued to walk two miles a day and loved to travel together. They attended almost every band activity of Jerry III, Mary, and Georgia; sporting events for his grandsons Jace and Myer; and Jay's football games. He especially enjoyed the last four years of trips to the State Football Finals.

Nick was involved in numerous community service organizations, especially the Jaycees. He held every office in the Selmer Jaycees, including multiple terms as President; held multiple offices in the Tennessee Jaycees, serving as President in 1977–78; was the Associate Treasurer of the U.S. Jaycees; Secretary of the Jaycee International Senate; and twice served as President of the Tennessee JCI Senate. He was awarded Lifetime Membership for his many years of service to these organizations.

Nick was an active member of Selmer First United Methodist Church, where he served as Youth Minister and Sunday School Superintendent, organizing many summer youth trips, lock-ins, and community service events.

He is survived by his wife, Gerry; sons, Jerry II (Leanne) and Jay (Rebekah); and grandchildren, Jerry III (Lizzie), Mary (Olivia), Georgia (John), Jace, and Myer. Other survivors include two sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and their spouses.

Nick and Gerry shared 60 years of love, laughter, and travel. They explored all 50 states, as well as Mexico, Thailand, China, Canada, the Philippines, and Australia.

His love for and faithfulness to his family, friends, and community were exemplary of a Christian life well lived and demonstrated that “service to humanity is the best work of life.”

Memorial donations may be made to:

Tennessee Education Foundation

c/o Cadence Bank

515 Mulberry Avenue

Selmer, TN 38375