Gerald Wayne Rothwell, 79, a resident of Dayton, Tennessee, went home to be with the Lord and other loved ones on Sunday, April 26, 2026. Gerald was of the Baptist faith, a member of Elkmont Baptist Church in Cleveland, Tennessee.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Carris (Gill) Rothwell; his loving wife, Deborah K. Wampler Rothwell; his brothers, Clayton, Clyde, and Floyd Rothwell and his sisters, Frances Osteika, Dorothy Thurman, Beulah McKinney, and Bonnie Sneed.

Gerald proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during Vietnam; a chapter of his life that shaped the hardworking and dedicated man he became. He spent years as a valued employee at La-Z-Boy in the wood room and at Tencate, where he took pride in his role as a line lead and trainer. Though he once enjoyed racquetball and tennis, bowling became his true passion in later years.

Gerald is survived by his son, Jeremy (Shelley) Wampler of Dayton; his daughter, Stephanie (Gary) Toomey of Dayton; his sister, Janice Clayton of Georgetown; his grandchildren, Chance and Cole Wampler, both of Dayton, and Ariel Long of Englewood; and his nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Gerald will be in the funeral home chapel on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Sammy Hooker officiating. He will be laid to rest with US Navy military honors next to his wife at Rhea Memory Gardens in Dayton.

Please share your memories and photos of Gerald on his online guest register at www.vanderwallfh.com.

The family is being cared for by Vanderwall Funeral Home in Dayton, Tennessee, where they will receive friends on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 12:00 noon until the service begins.