James Leroy Pethel, a distinguished composer, educator, and organist, passed away in Dallas, Texas on January 22, 2026, at the age of 89, leaving behind a legacy defined by music, mentorship, Christian service, and a deep devotion to those he loved. Born December 24, 1936, in Gainesville, Georgia, he carried the warmth and grounded spirit of his hometown throughout a life dedicated to creativity, scholarship, and service.

🎼 A Life in Music

James' musical journey began at an early age thanks to his older brother Jack, who bought and installed a pump organ in the family home. After James learned to play the organ on his own, his brother signed him up for piano lessons, and James' God-given skills grew quickly and ultimately blossomed into an extraordinary career. After completing his undergraduate studies at Truett McConnell, where he spent his first two years, and Carson‑Newman College, where he finished his degree and majored in organ and music education, James pursued graduate and doctoral work in music composition and theory at George Peabody College (now Vanderbilt Peabody College of Education) in Nashville, Tennessee. His teachers included Phillip Slates, Arnold Salop, Scott Withrow, Sam Bate Owens, and Peter Fyfe. He later continued doctoral work in organ studies at North Texas State University.

Returning to Carson‑Newman College as a faculty member, James served for 37 years as Distinguished Composer‑in‑Residence and Associate Professor of Music. He taught organ, piano, composition, and theory, shaping generations of musicians with his patient guidance and deep musical insight. James also served as the principal organist for several local church congregations, including First Baptist Church, Morristown, Tennessee, First United Methodist Church, Dandridge, Tennessee, and First United Methodist Church, Jefferson City, Tennessee. When he was not teaching or playing in church, James enjoyed serving as the sight-singing adjudicator for state vocal and choral association festivals in Tennessee for many years. And, over the years, he had the honor of providing the musical backdrop for countless weddings, funerals, and receptions throughout East Tennessee.

A prolific composer, James published more than 300 works, including organ solos, choral anthems, and hymns that are performed widely across the country. A ten-time winner of ASCAP's Standard Award for significant creative work, writing, and publishing music, James wrote several commissioned works, including a choral work for the Governor's School for the Arts in l988 and is credited as the arranger for Carson Newman's hymn, "God of Beauty, Truth, and Goodness." His favorite medium for writing was the organ, but he also wrote and published for the piano, solo instruments, solo voice, and chorus as well. His artistry earned him recognition as Composer of the Year by the Knoxville Music Teachers Association, and he was the nominee for Tennessee's Composer of the Year by music organizations in both Knoxville and Greenville, Tennessee. He was selected by Carson-Newman University to receive the Outstanding Alumni Award in 1996, and he was honored by the Knoxville chapter of the American Guild of Organists with their Meritorious Award in recognition of his contributions to that organization and his musical activities and achievements as a composer. He loved to write and dedicate compositions and arrangements to friends and family, and his publications are replete with dedications with special meaning.

James had a special bond with his nephew Stan Pethel, a respected member of the Berry College music faculty in Rome, Georgia, and prolific composer himself. James and Stan frequently collaborated and published 12 collections of piano/organ and piano four-hand arrangements together. On any given Sunday, it is likely that a church musician somewhere is playing or performing a Pethel piece.

❤️ Family and Personal Life

James' life was anchored by his family, especially his beloved wife and partner of 45 years, Martha Delk Prevost Pethel, a longtime educator, and Carson‑Newman graduate. Martha was a devoted elementary school teacher and active member of the Carson‑Newman community as well. She passed away in 2007 in Jefferson City, Tennessee. Their marriage was marked by their Christian faith, a shared dedication to their children, education, music, and service, and a deep, abiding love for all things East Tennessee. James moved to Dallas, Texas in 2016 to be near his daughter Ann Marie Painter and her husband Tim and joined the Park Cities Baptist Church congregation. He quickly made close connections at his new home in The Tradition of Prestonwood and, as recently as last December, provided residents with entertainment on the piano each Friday night, choosing seasonal themes and taking requests from the audience.

James was a man of many interests and hobbies beyond music. For years, he and Martha cultivated a large summer garden in Tennessee that produced an abundance of fruit and vegetables for enjoying and sharing. He learned the art of beekeeping from a neighbor and maintained bee hives next to his garden. He took up black and white photography and learned how to develop his own photographs in his home studio. He documented his family life with beautifully creative pictures and videos and even served as an informal photographer for campus events. James had an almost endless repertoire of jokes that he could call to mind for almost any occasion and retell with flawless delivery. He kept up with technological advances and continued to compose essays and music on the computer as well as explore podcasts and online sermons from his favorite pastors.

🌟 Legacy

James will be remembered not only for his musical brilliance but also for his gentle spirit, his love of good conversation, and his ability to make others feel valued. His compositions continue to bring beauty into the world, and generations of musicians he nurtured with patient guidance and musical insight will enrich the world with their own work.

He is preceded in death by his wife Martha Delk Prevost Pethel, father Rabon D. Pethel, mother Omalee Simpson Pethel, brothers R. David Pethel and Jack Pethel, and nephew David Benjamin Pethel. He is survived by his brother, Benjamin Pethel and sister-in-law Jean Pethel of Gainesville, GA, daughter Ann Marie Painter and son-in-law Timothy Painter of Dallas, TX, son Stephen Pethel, grandchildren Cole, Kate, and Jase Pethel of Huntsville, AL, as well as nieces Tara Lawler, Nancy Duncan, and Margie Park of Gainesville, GA, Jeanne Pethel of Canton, GA, nephew Stan Pethel of Armuchee, GA, and great-nieces and great-nephews Brecken Lawler, Chase Lawler, Jerry Wood, Jamie Barrere, Carrie Owens, and Katie Park of Gainesville, Kenny Park (Seattle, WA), Joseph Pethel (Rome, GA), Mary Ellen Pethel (Nashville, TN), Rob Pethel (Atlanta, GA), David Wayland (Canton, GA), and Dan Wayland (Hamilton, VA).

A memorial service will be held in Ellis Chapel at Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas on February 7, 2026, at 11 a.m. CT with a reception to follow at noon. The service will be live-streamed at https://pcbcspecialevents.online.church , and the service will be available for later online viewing.

Donations in James' memory may be made to the North Texas Food Bank, Appalachian Outreach of the Smokies, or Knox Area Rescue Ministries.

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