Tommy was born on January 28, 1945, to Wilmer and Helen Moretz of Deep Gap, NC. He was raised on a dairy farm and always had to milk and do chores before he went to school. Tommy always said that the girls didn't like him because he smelled bad from milking and the cows but as he got older all that changed and his beautiful blue eyes broke many hearts!

Tommy served in the army for a brief period of time. He was issued an honorable discharge when his dad was hurt to take care of his mom and dad and much younger brother and sister. While farming he also had a sawmill and would sell the logs to VL Moretz Lumber. After farming and sawmilling he worked for many years as a local truck driver delivering products from plant to plant for Cellu Products which is now called Sealed Air. After retirement from Sealed Air, Tommy had several part-time jobs including security at Appalachian State University at athletic events and also at the Watauga Democrat in the mailing department.

Tommy was a man of all trades. His mind held a lot of knowledge about a lot of things. That knowledge was a factor in being able to build the house that he and Jan and their sons lived in for the past 36 years. He also loved woodworking and gardening.

Tommy loved his church, Grace Lutheran in Boone, NC and his church family so much. When he was able to go to church, he sat in "his pew," which was four rows down from the back, and was always there early so he could see and talk to everyone that passed by him.

Tommy loved to talk about his past. If you ever heard one of his stories once, chances are you heard it three times. He certainly liked to tell stories. His favorite places to go were Cape Lookout Lighthouse and Cades Cove.

Going before Tommy were his parents Wilmer and Helen Moretz; parents-in-law, Joe and Helen Minor; a son Joshua Moretz; and a nephew Nick Minor.

He leaves behind his wife of fifty-two years, Jan Moretz; son, Jacob Moretz (Beth); three grandchildren, Hayden, Andrew and Maura; two sisters, Pat Weaver and Sandy Moretz of Boone and one brother, Ted Moretz (Lois) of Concord; adopted daughter, Summer Morrison; brothers-in-law, Joe Minor (Juanita), Phil Minor (Lynda); nephews, Patrick Minor, Adam Minor, James Moretz and Carson Moretz; nieces, Jennifer Teske, Amanda Trivett, Paige Sheppard and numerous aunts and uncles.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Sunday, July 12, 2026, at Grace Lutheran Church, Boone, NC. Visitation and reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Grace Lutheran Church General Fund, 115 East King Street Boone, North Carolina 28607.

Online condolences may be sent to the Moretz family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com

Hampton Funeral Service in charge of the arrangements.