Al C. Behel

Al C. Behel, 78, of Knoxville, passed peacefully from this life on April 7, 2022, surrounded by family. Al was born on July 14, 1943, in Sheffield, Alabama, to Thomas Lowell and Ossie Cecil (Howard) Behel. He attended Cherokee High School and Mars Hill Bible School, where he met his future wife, Linda Lane Cox. He went on to undergraduate studies at Freed-Hardeman College, Florence State College, and David Lipscomb College, where he earned a Bachelors Degree in Bible. Al and Linda married on December 13, 1964, and the next year moved to Knoxville where Al completed a Masters Degree in Counseling at the University of Tennessee. He was a licensed Marital and Family Therapist, Professional Counselor/Mental Health Services Provider, and a Medical Psychological Consultant. Al truly enjoyed a life of service to others, first and foremost as a minister in East Tennessee for 57 years, beginning with the Laurel Church of Christ. During that time he also directed the Churches of Christ Exhibit at Knoxville’s 1982 World’s Fair, and he subsequently served as the Executive Director of East Tennessee Christian Services. Al and Linda worked together as therapists in private practice for 38 years, and they co-owned Suburban Counseling Center. He was an active member of the Great Smoky Mountains Church of Christ, where he served as minister for the last 25 years. The most important thing in Al’s life by far was his family. He is survived by his loving wife, Linda; his children, Kimberly Klingerman (Timothy) and Kevin Behel (Kris); grandchildren Caleb Klingerman (Michelle), Matthew Klingerman (Miranda), Ethan Klingerman and special friend Emma Oliver, Marcus Behel, Duncan Behel (Monica), Ian Behel, and Caitlin Behel; great-grandchildren Amy, Aiden, Liam, and Aerial; brother Gilbert Behel; sisters Helen Sanderson (Larry), Elizabeth Ann Warpula (Ronnie), and Nadean Martin (Bob); sister-in-law Sharlie Behel; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. He was also dearly loved by special extended family, the G.C. and Mattie Lou Robinson family. He was preceded in death by his parents, T. Lowell Behel, Sr., and Ossie Behel; brothers O’Neal Behel, Gene Behel, and Thomas Lowell “Buddy” Behel; sister Rachel McCollum; brother-in-law Homer McCollum; and sisters-in-law Becky Behel and Jean Behel. Open calling hours will be held on Thursday at Rose Funeral and Cremation, 6200 Kingston Pike, from 10:00 am – 4:30 pm and again on Friday from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. Visitation will take place Friday, April 15, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Great Smoky Mountains Church of Christ, 3078 Veterans Blvd, Pigeon Forge Tennessee. Funeral Service will follow at 7:00 p.m., officiated by Al’s longtime friend, Herb Byrd. A Graveside Service will take place on Saturday, April 16, at 11:00 a.m., at Edgewood Cemetery, 229 S Gallaher View Rd, Knoxville, Tennessee. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Building Fund of the Great Smoky Mountains Church of Christ PO Box 173 Pigeon Forge, TN 37868. Rose Funeral and Cremation is honored to serve the Behel family and invites you to view and sign their online guestbook at rosefuneraltn.com.

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Al C. Behel

July 14, 1943 - April 7, 2022