Clayton White -Alumni President 2026-2027

Clayton White is a licensed Funeral Director, Embalmer, and Certified Crematory Operator. He is a 2006 graduate of Humboldt High School and a 2008 graduate of John A. Gupton College in Nashville, TN, with an Associate of Arts Degree in Funeral Service. He is a member of the Medina Lions Club and the Humboldt Masonic Lodge #202. He is the past president of the board of directors for the Greater Gibson County Chamber of Commerce and has served as a Gibson County Commissioner. Clayton is married to Kimberly Boswell White (2019 John A. Gupton Graduate), and together they own Replogle-Lawrence Funeral Home in Medina, TN. Clayton and Kimberly are parents to Holland Leon White.

Thomas Rash – 1st Vice President

Thomas Jacob Rash, Gupton Class of 2023, is a licensed Funeral Director, Embalmer and Certified Crematory Operator who began his career in funeral service at the age of 18. A first-generation mortician, Thomas is proud to bring dedication, compassion, and professionalism to the families he serves at Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens, Funeral Home, and Cremation Center in Nashville, TN.

Originally from rural West Tennessee, Thomas moved to Nashville during the COVID-19 pandemic to attend John A. Gupton College. He is an active member of both the Tennessee Funeral Directors Association (TFDA) and the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA). In addition to his work in funeral service, Thomas is also a designer wedding planner and event coordinator, where his creativity and attention to detail shine in celebrating life’s most meaningful moments.

Outside of his professional life, Thomas enjoys hiking, weekends with friends, and taking every opportunity to sail away on a cruise. He looks forward to continuing to serve the Nashville and Middle Tennessee community for years to come, with plans to remain in Tennessee and someday start a family. Thomas is honored to represent John A. Gupton College as an alumni officer and is committed to carrying forward the values of the profession with care and respect.

Thomas gives special recognition and gratitude to his mentors in the funeral profession, whose guidance and support have been instrumental in shaping his career.

Chris Jefferson – Secretary/Treasurer

Chris Jefferson is a native Nashvillian. Before devoting his work to Mortuary Sciences, Chris was a successful auto mechanic of 15 years. His parents knew at a young age that he would work with his hands. In 1997 Chris met his mentor, John A Gupton alumni Ronald M. Stewart. Mr. Stewart helped to peak Chris’s curiosity on what embalming was like, which led Chris on a path to study at John A Gupton. During his study here, Mr. Stewart was an instrumental part in helping Chris to enhance his embalming skills. In 2011, Chris graduated from John A Gupton Mortuary College where he received an Associate of Arts degree in Funeral Service. Chris later joined the Tennessee State Funeral Directors & Morticians Association and is an active member today.

Shortly after graduating, he noticed the market was saturated with Funeral Directors. Instead of following the Funeral Director path only, he decided to make his focus embalming while still satisfying the funeral director role when needed. Chris loves a challenge, which has afforded him the opportunity to work on some very complex cases including victims that required restorative art. Chris is always willing to extend a helping hand to any colleague that has questions or in need of his services. He has performed work for several funeral homes in the state of Tennessee: servicing thousands of families.

When he does have downtime, Chris, is a loving husband and father of five. He loves spending time with his family. Chris is a “handyman”, a bowler, and is also a musician in a local quartet, playing the bass guitar.