Jeff Happel

Jeffrey Lynn Happel "Jeff" was born in Atkins, Iowa on November 25, 1957 and went to his heavenly home here in Chattanooga, TN on January 4, 2026. He was 68 years old.

He spent the first 11 years of his life in Iowa, then moving with the family due to corporate relocation to Winston-Salem, NC in 1968. There he was raised with his brother and two sisters and graduated high school in 1976 and began his employment with RJ Reynold Tobacco company in mailroom and custodial duties. He went on to work as a custodian at St John's Lutheran Church & School from which he retired with disability around 1995.

Jeff continued to live in Winston-Salem NC until April 2010 when he moved to be near his sister and her family in Brentwood, TN. While there, he was employed part-time with TJ Maxx. In March of 2021 he followed his sister and family to Chattanooga, TN where he lived at Charter Senior Living until his death.

Jeff was a lifelong Lutheran, with membership in churches in Winston-Salem, NC (St John's Lutheran Church) and in Brentwood, TN (Our Savior Lutheran Church). While in Chattanooga, he regularly attended services at his retirement community.

Jeff was a lover of music and would listen to all types, but enjoyed hard rock, classic rock and country the best. He had a very extensive library of many artists. He was a pretty strong air guitar player. He sang in choirs as a youth and later at several retirement communities. His favorite sport that he played was bowling. He was in leagues for many years and accomplished several 200+ games. His favorite sports to watch were wrestling and NFL football and he spent many hours enjoying them. He loved his Chevy S10 red truck. It was a part of his identity and it bought him great joy just to sit in it and listen to music.

He was predeceased by his parents: mother, Patricia J Happel (2020) and father, Loren E Happel (1987), both of Winston-Salem, NC; and his brother in-law, Robert J Hamby (2018) of Windham. ME.

He is survived by his three siblings: Becky Hamby of Maryville, TN, Kimberly Tetzlaff (David) of Signal Mountain, TN and Bradley Happel (Rosalie) of Danville, VA; one niece and six nephews.

Jeff will be interred in Parklawn Memorial Gardens in Winston-Salem, NC beside his parents.

While Jeff was a quiet person, he will be missed by his many friends at Charter Senior Living and his Family. He was loved and cared by many and is now resting with our Heavenly Savior.

Arrangements entrusted to Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, TN 37415, (423) 877-3524, lanefh.com