Thomas H. North Jr

Thomas H. North, Jr, known to his friends as Tommy, age 70 passed from this life on September 12, 2025, while surrounded by his devoted wife and loving family. Tommy was born in Elizabethton, Tennessee on February 20,1955. He attended school in East Tennessee and graduated from Daniel Boone High School, class of 1973. He later attended Middle Tennessee State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration, majoring in finance. In 1994 he graduated from John A. Gupton College in Nashville with an Associates of Arts in Funeral Service. Tommy's banking career started at First National Bank of Sullivan County in Kingsport, TN. His career in banking included supervisory positions at the Nashville Branch of the Federal Reserves and later Vice President of Operations at Rainier Bank in Anchorage, Alaska for 7 years. July 1994, he joined Harpeth Hills Funeral Home while completing his funeral director and embalmer studies. Tommy served his apprentice and held multiple positions from Manager to Director of Operations over 4 funeral establishments in the Metro Nashville area, all while employed by Harpeth Hills. He resigned upon purchasing Watson-Gamble Funeral Home and Memorial Park in Winchester in October of 2004. Tommy served his community with honor while owning Watson-North Funeral Home, Cremation Center and Memorial Park. Unfortunately, Tommy's health deemed early retirement in November of 2022.
Tommy was a member of Winchester Lions Club and AM Rotary for many years. While in the Nashville area, Tommy attended Barth Vernon and West End United Methodist Church. Upon moving to Winchester, he attended Winchester Methodist Church and First Apostolic.
He enjoyed and supported the Franklin County High School Band when Jennifer and Josh were band members. Anyone who knew Tommy well knew of his famous Patton family dinner rolls. He loved cooking, ice cream, family Christmas time and collecting "All in the Family" and "I love Lucy" movies with Jennifer. When playing JFK trivia, no one could beat him, but the highlight of his day was when his grand babies ran to meet him.
He is preceded in death by his grandmother, Lucille Meade Francis; great-aunt, Alta Lee Mead; grandparents, James and Catherine North; in laws, Rev. Earnest A. and Beulah Colvin.
Tommy is survived by his spouse Doris Colvin-North; children, Jennifer Jackson, Joshua (Heather) Jackson, Josiah (Rebekah) Jackson; grandchildren, McKenzy, Avery, Emma, Eli and Kennedy; relatives, Susan (Steve) North Lewis of Knoxville, TN; Jim (Tracy) North of Hampton, Ga; sisters- in- law, Barbara (Ronnie) Riddle, Bonita (Tim) Robinson; brother- in- law, Earnie (Melanie) Colvin; beloved fur buddy, Bear; several nieces and nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.
Visitation will be held at Watson Funeral Home on Friday Sept 19th between the hours of 5-8 p.m., with the funeral service on Saturday at 2:00 with Minister Joshua Jackson officiating. Interment will follow at Watson Memorial Park. Tommy will take his final journey to his resting place in a horse drawn carriage. Pallbearers will be served by Jim Cortner, Wayne Bush, Nick Keith, Ethan Corner, Terry Freeze and Michael Illobre.