Dr. A.J. Mosrie

Doctor Azett Jimmie Mosrie passed away on Monday, July 22, 2024, at home, surrounded by family. As his wife of nearly 64 years, I, Caroline Cook Mosrie, know the goodness of this man. He loved our family: sons Mark and Brian, and daughter Amy, and always encouraged them to pursue their interests. 

Dr. Mosrie was also known as Zook (Zookie, The Great Zook) from the time he was four years old. Zook was jovial and always interested in finding some fun for our family to enjoy. He attended soccer games, horse shows, took us hunting & fishing, snow skiing, snorkeling and sailing. He took us to UT football games and Duke basketball games. As a member of First Broad Street United Methodist Church, he attended Sunday services with our family and encouraged our children in youth church activities. Despite his very busy schedule he was home every evening so we could all have supper together. 

Later, as our family expanded with in-laws and grandchildren, he thrived, entertaining all comers at family reunions and lake activities at our eventual home on Boone Lake. Zook always had a positive outlook on life and would not dwell on bad news, unfortunate events or negativity. His sense of humor was legendary, and he would dispense funny stories, jokes and anecdotes with ease. He could find the humor in almost any situation and was quick to point out the positive aspect of anything. 

Dr. A.J. Mosrie loved the medical practice of ophthalmology. When he was trained to do no-stitch cataract surgery in the early-1990s, he was very excited because the procedure was much better for his patients, who were of the utmost importance to him. 

His positive mindset, fun-loving ways, loyalty to his friends and family, and devotion to his patients were the hallmarks of his personality and people gravitated to him. 

Dr. Mosrie was born in Princeton, WV, the first child of Jameele and Nageeb Mosrie, who emigrated to the US from Lebanon. After high school, he attended Duke University, where he became lifelong friends with Rob Townsend, Darryl Copeland, Bill Lee and Spike Yoh. Collectively the five of them were known as the Ollie Brothers. Their exploits would become known far and wide. 

After graduating from Duke, he attended medical school at West Virginia University and the Medical College of Virginia (MCV). Then followed an internship at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, OH, and an ophthalmology residency at MCV. After residency he served in the Navy at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. After two years in the Navy we moved to Kingsport, and he started Kingsport Eye Clinic in 1968. 

In the early-1970s, Dr. Mosrie was one of a handful of medical doctors who were instrumental in the establishment of Indian Path Hospital in Kingsport. 

Dr. Mosrie was preceded in death by his parents; his sister Linda, brother-in-law Fouad, brother Almett and favorite uncle Chahin Mosrie. 

He is survived by his wife Caroline, sons Mark (Erica) of Nashville and Brian (Crystal), of Knoxville, daughter Amy Henry of Johnson City; grandchildren Ben and Ella Mosrie; step-granddaughters Chloe and Macy Hatfield; niece Mona, nephew Gary; sister-in-law Mona Mosrie of Rockledge, FL; nephew James Mosrie and niece Summer Edmunds. 

A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 26, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at First Broad Street United Methodist Church, with Rev. Dr. William Randall Frye and Rev. Dr. Carole Martin officiating. The family will receive friends following the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to:

 • First Broad Street United Methodist Church: (423) 246-4471 or online at fbsumc.org/giving 

 • St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Donate by phone at (800) 805-5856 or online at stjude.org 

 • BrightFocus Foundation, Macular Degeneration Research: online at brightfocus.org