Bryan (Jimmy) Thomas Cheek

Bryan Thomas Cheek (Jimmy), age 53, passed away in his home in Knoxville, TN, surrounded by friends and family, Thursday evening, October 30, 2025, after a long, hard fight with pancreatic cancer. He was born September 1, 1972 to Hilda Cheek Clay and the late Thomas Oslin Cheek.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Oslin Cheek. He is survived by his boys, Andrew & Thomas Cheek, his mother, Hilda Cheek Clay, and his sister, Lisa Sills (Daron).

Bryan became Jimmy when he moved from his birth town Hendersonville, TN to his new home in Knoxville, TN, when there were two Bryans starting a job at The Tomato Head restaurant on the same day. Without hesitation, he offered to be the randomly chosen "Jimmy" to prevent confusion. His kids and Knoxville "family" know him as nothing else.

Jimmy took many art classes and explored different forms of media, such as painting and drawing, but most enjoyed and excelled at jobs that used his hands, from bartending, construction, home restoration, his own handyman business called MonkeyWrench Maintenance, and finally making lamps that evolved into MonkeyShines Lamps, using recycled materials, including records and crushed CD cases. He had an eye for turning one man's junk into his art. Jimmy also loved his music and could be found playing his saxophone or guitar with a pick-up band, even in his recent years. His home and wardrobe both showcased his love of a 70's time period - Jimmy was born an old soul, but not without humor. His dry wit and no-nonsense attitude made him easy and fun to be around. He loved his boys, he loved his Bronco, he loved his music, and he loved his solitude. I don't know anyone who didn't love Jimmy.

A celebration of Jimmy's life will be held at 3-5 p.m., Sunday, November 9, 2025 at The Tomato Head Restaurant, 12 Market Square, Knoxville, TN 37902.

Memorial contributions can be made for his boys' education to Jimmy's Venmo account @MonkeyShiney1

Condolences may be expressed at www.mynattfh.com.