Emory Joe McEntyre

“The Mayor of New Town”, Emory Joe McEntyre, 85 years old, left us to be with Jesus on Sunday, March 29th, 2026. A lifelong resident of Gordon County, Emory was born on November 14th, 1940, to the late Roy and Catherine McEntyre.

From a young age, Emory learned the value of hard work and being an honest businessman. He was a self-proclaimed Momma’s boy and loved his wife and children more than himself.

As a small child, Emory worked in his family’s grocery store and service station, where his affinity for fast cars and loud engines began.

He graduated from Calhoun High School in 1960, where he played football and enjoyed several sports. After high school, Emory went on to serve in the United States Navy, where he played football and served our country for four years.

After the Navy, Emory began a career at Lockheed Martin. In 1970, Emory opened a Gulf Service Station on Hwy 53 in Calhoun. For 20 years, he and his family watched as McDonald’s and several other local establishments were built on Exit 312 and provided automotive services to many celebrities who chose to stop at his station while passing through our town. In 1990, Emory owned and operated McEntyre’s Texaco in downtown Calhoun, where he retired and sold the business to his son, Michael.

Emory was the true definition of a tireless worker and honest businessman. He has spent the last 14 years working for the City of Calhoun at the recycling center. His lifelong mission was for his family to be honest, dependable, and hard-working citizens. He loved car racing, spending time at the cabin in Blairsville, and attending the Tennessee Walking Horse Celebrations.

Later in life, you could always find him “piddling” in his shop, bushhogging on his tractor, or keeping tabs on the New Town community while cruising around on his golf cart.

Emory is survived by his faithful and loving wife of 57 years, Sylvia Nicholson McEntyre, his children Monica Parker (Richie) and Michael McEntyre (Jennifer). After retirement, he became the after-school and summer entertainment for his grandchildren, Riley McEntyre, Jaden Brock, and Braxton McEntyre, where they learned how to fix anything, drive a golf cart, and explore the outdoors.

Emory was also survived by his brother Clyde McEntyre ( the late Pat McEntyre), Brother in Law Alfred Knight (late sister Linda Knight), nieces Tammy McCormick (Anthony), Kim Williams (Chris), Pam Mills, Renva Porto, Carol Monteith and nephews Sean Knight (Cindy), Blake McEntyre and Daryl Gay as well as his special bonus grandchildren Collin Parker, Sydnie Defoor (Jack), Jacob Parker (Naomi), Ivie Collins (CJ), Logan Parker (Hazel), Gavin Parker and Mac McDaniel along with several great grandchildren. Emory loved his friends and always had fun stories to tell of their many adventures. The friends and the stories are far too numerous to include, as they were such a memorable part of his life. The greatest story that “Daddy,” “Paw Paw,” “E.J.” (or whatever you affectionately knew him by) shared with many of these friends and family members was the day that his heart, life, and soul

were changed for eternity when he was saved by his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. That is his greatest legacy!

The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 2nd at New Town Baptist Church from 11 AM to 3 PM. The funeral service will be at 4 PM. Pallbearers are Jaden Brock, Braxton McEntyre, Erik Offutt, Zane Jones, Ron Carter, Shane “Willercat” McDougle, Ronald Hayes, and Sean Knight. Honorary pallbearers are Johnny Goble, Randall Jones, Bear Carter, Gary Lanier, and Matt Chapman.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The Brannon family and staff are honored to serve the family of Emory Joe McEntyre.