A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at 3:00 PM at the Memorial Gardens in Princeton, Kentucky. The visitation will be held on Wednesday from 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM at the Taylor Funeral Home in Dickson, Tennessee.
Gerald Thomas Capps, age 77 of Charlotte, Tennessee (formerly of Princeton, Kentucky) died on Friday, July 25, 2025, in Dickson, Tennessee. He is survived by his daughter Stephanie Capps of Nashville, TN and grandson Dylan McKinney (Chelsey) of Dickson, TN as well as two stepsons Don Hawk (Mary) of Gallatin, TN and Danny Hawk (Roxanne) of Kingston Springs, TN and grandchildren Tyler Hawk and Lilli Hawk as well as great grandchildren Hadley Grace McKinney and Haydon Shaw McKinney and step grandchildren Alex Cage and Serena Cage. He is also survived by one brother Roy Glen Capps (Carolyn) of Princeton, KY as well as several nieces and nephews and their families.
In addition to his parents Evelyn Parker Capps and Garland Capps, Gerald was preceded in death by his wife Susan Capps, his daughter Jennifer Capps, two brothers Harold Capps and Ronald Capps, his sister Helen Cotton and his step granddaughter Mary Franc Clark.
Gerald was born on February 24, 1948, in Princeton, Kentucky to the late Evelyn Parker Capps and Garland Capps. He spent much of his early life in rural Western Ky growing up on a working family farm. Depending on the season, there might be soybeans, popcorn, field corn or tobacco to tend and he spent endless days (sometimes evenings) driving tractors, plowing fields and tending to the farm livestock alongside his parents and siblings. He had a real love of horses and loved riding on the farm to check on the livestock - anything to get him out in nature. He also had an unusual and very keen sense about the weather – always seeming to know when it was going to rain, snow or “come up a storm” as he would put it. He also just knew how things worked – the mechanisms that trip up the average person, he could tell you exactly what made every little thing do what it did to make it work. If anyone ever needed anything fixed, he could probably do it and enjoyed tinkering with cars and motorcycles (which he also loved). He collected pocket knives most of his life and had a story to tell about each one in his beloved collection. He also had a love of music, old tractors, was an avid hunter and marksman, loved antiques and his favorite chair where he watched countless Westerns, tractor pulls and cooking shows. Family was so important to him, treasuring time with his wife, daughters, grandchildren, stepsons and great grandchildren and siblings.
Work life for him was centered largely around farming and then his decades long career for TVA where he spent the remainder of his work career after moving to Tennessee and where he retired in 2021. Hard work seemed to be a vital part of his life and identity.
His Christian faith and spiritual life were a guiding force for him as well. While living in Kentucky, he attended Cedar Bluff Baptist Church in Princeton and later attended Parkers Creek Baptist Church near his home in Charlotte, TN where his wife Susan was the church pianist for many years. In his quiet time, you might find him reading his Bible or reflecting quietly in his favorite chair. He loved old hymns and listening to gospel music, especially when Susan was singing or playing.
He and his wife Susan shared twenty-eight treasured years of marriage together at their home in Charlotte, TN where they enjoyed cooking, gardening, listening to music and spending time with their family and pets. Some of their favorite times together were spent traveling the country always looking forward to their next adventure together. They especially loved their beach trips and finding fresh seafood whenever they were near the coast. Good food was something they both enjoyed, and he especially loved anything she made, but raved about her gumbo. Susan passed in 2020 after an extended illness, during which time he was her primary caregiver. He missed her every day since.
In the last few years since the passing of his wife and his retirement, he enjoyed the slower pace of life, spending much time with his family, cooking meals, watching plenty more Westerns and he finally bought the RV he’d always wanted and enjoyed several road trips to Ky. His was a life very well lived.
He will be transported to his birthplace in Kentucky in Princeton, KY where he will be laid to rest next to his wife Susan and daughter Jennifer. All are welcome to attend both services.
