John Sloan Obituary

John William Sloan

July 18, 1992 -

January 25, 2026

JOHNSON CITY - John William Sloan, 33, of Johnson City, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, January 25, 2026. Will was born in Winston-Salem, NC, on July 18, 1992. He grew up in Winston-Salem where, as a young child, he fell in love with tennis the first time he held a racquet and took his first lesson from Denard McClendon. He went on to spend untold hours on the courts with Denard and later at the Randy Pate Tennis Academy. He completed high school through an online school, Keystone National High School, because that allowed him the flexibility and time needed for his sport. In 2015, he graduated from Christopher Newport University, with a major in Communications. At CNU he played NCAA tennis and was a member of the Sigma Epsilon fraternity. Following college, he had a variety of jobs, including three years as the Assistant Tennis Pro at Bermuda Run Country Club and, most recently, as a Territory Manager for Reynolds America, Inc., in Johnson City.

Although tennis was Will's first love, his athleticism and pure joy of physical movement extended beyond tennis. As a youngster, he earned a black belt in Tai Kwon Do, and later, as an adult, he took Ju Jitsu lessons. He was committed to physical fitness and healthy nutrition and was passionate about weightlifting in the gym with his buddies. The "need for speed" and risk-taking also played a role in his life, as evidenced by his love of skateboarding, snowboarding, water skiing, and eventual motorcycle riding. His determination and drive to reach a goal that he set for himself, and to persist despite pain or hardship were illustrated on the tennis court in matches, in the gym during his self-imposed grueling workouts, by once backpacking more than 50 miles with blisters covering his feet making every step painful, and by his ability to fast for 30 days. As those accomplishments indicate, Will could be too hard on himself at times, yet he was nothing if not a study in contrasts. He was also quick to smile, and his big smile could light up any room he entered. He was compassionate toward anyone who had less in life than he had, and he never met an animal he wouldn't love as a pet. Consequently, over the course of his tragically short life, he had a guinea pig, four cats, a snake, a tarantula, two ferrets, and a dog. He may well have had a few additional pets hidden in his room somewhere that he didn't dare tell his parents about. Will could be hilariously funny, and he laughed easily and often. On the other hand, he also struggled mightily with mental health issues. One of those issues included substance abuse, but evidence indicates that that issue played no role in his death. In the months just prior to his untimely passing, Will was exploring ways he could create his own gym and combine that with his desire to counsel and inspire youngsters. He wanted to be a positive influence on others.

Although not religiously inclined for most of his life, during the last year and a half or so, he became active in the Living Word Church of God in Johnson City and found the love of that closeknit community incredibly supportive, for which his family will forever be grateful.

Will is survived by his parents, William W. Sloan, Jr., and Barbara Ann Clifford, both of Winston-Salem; by his sister, Caroline Frances Sloan, of Hendersonville, NC; by his grandmother, Margaret ("Nana") Clifford, of Winston-Salem; his Uncle John Clifford (Patti), of Charlottesville, VA; his Aunt Anne Marie Clifford of Hillsboro, OH; his Aunt MaryAnn Sloan (Skip) of Tryon, NC; and many first cousins, including their spouses and their children. Will is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, William W. Sloan and Mary Frances Ellis Sloan, of Franklin, NC; and his maternal grandfather, John Edwin Clifford, of Cincinnati, OH.

To honor Will in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Dooks of Earl Ferret Sanctuary, 4826 US Highway 70 E., Brownsville, TN, 38012-8412. This ferret sanctuary took in Will's ferrets when he had to move to an apartment that would not allow ferrets. Will made monthly donations to this sanctuary, and it is experiencing some financial struggles. Alternatively, please consider donating to Wounded Warriors, (https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org), another charity that Will supported.

Arrangements for a memorial service will be announced at a later date. Please continue to monitor the Funeral Home website for updated service information.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.tetrickfuneralservices.com

Tetrick Funeral Services, 3001 Peoples Street, Johnson City, TN 37604 is honored to serve the Sloan Family.