Don Lewellen

Donald ‘Don’ Edward Lewellen, age 79 years of Goodlettsville, TN, passed away Saturday, January 13, 2024 at Alive Hospice surrounded by his loving family and friends after a 10 year battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis.  He was born in Nashville, TN, August 19, 1944 the son of the late Robert Lewellen and Laura Marie Prince Lewellen.  

Don started out working in the late 50’s as a young man on a fruit and vegetable wagon with one of his best friends.  They would sell produce throughout the neighborhood.  In the early 60’s he went to work for Nashville Decorating Service.   This is where he learned to paint and hang wall covering.  While he was employed with them, he became an instructor at the Tennessee State Prison where he taught the inmates the profession of painting and hanging wallpaper.  In the late 60’s he opened his own business in painting and wallpaper covering.  In the early 70’s he became noted as one of the best wallpaper installers in the Nashville area.  Around 1976 Don decided to become a firefighter and it was in 1978 his dream became a reality.  At that time he was one of the oldest recruits to move into this profession. He served on Engine Nine at the Bottoms for 15 years.  He received a promotion to Engineer 9 on Truck 3 at Cleveland and Meridian and worked there for another 15 years.  He retired after working 30 years as a firefighter.  After retirement Don was known for always being able to make extra money on his side hustles.  He was a success in all his endeavors because he was so outgoing and never met a stranger.  He loved to joke around with people and had a host of friends who enjoyed his company over the years.  His friends were considered part of his family.   He also loved children and in the 70’s he was a football coach for the Gra Mar Pirates.  He was a member of Goodlettsville Cumberland Presbyterian Church for 25 years.  There most of his projects at the church involved the Children’s Ministry which was very precious and dear to his heart.  He also served as a Deacon at the church.  Don loved to cook and he and Janice enjoyed helping with many of the dinners and events at the church.  He was also a member of Local 46 Stage Hands where he worked in rigging.  Don will always be remembered as ‘One who loved out loud’ and had a ‘Servant’s heart’.

He is survived by his loved and cherished wife of  30 years, Janice Lewellen;  his children, Sheree Lewellen Ozier, Troy (Casey) Lewellen and Jonathan Robinson; grandchildren, Tyler Chapman, Leah Ozier, Hannah Lewellen, T. J. Grimes and Cori Lewellen;  2 great grandchildren, Sawyer and Harlow Chapman.  As ‘Un Doe’ he also had two ‘Grandchildren in Love’, Evelyn and Dawson Prince.  He is also survived by his two brothers, Bill (Carol) Lewellen and Wayne Whitley.

A Celebration of Don’s Life will be held at 1:00 PM, Monday, January 22, 2024 at Goodlettsville Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 226 South Main St. Goodlettsville, TN 37072, with Pastor Tim Stutler officiating.  Friends may visit with the family prior to the service from 11:00am – 1:00 pm.

The family requests donations are made ‘In Memory of Don Lewellen’  to either the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio St, Suite 500, Chicago, IL 60611, Phone, 844-825-5733 or GCPC Children’s Ministry, C/O Goodlettsville Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 226 South Main St, Goodlettsville, TN 37072. 

Madison Funeral Home, 219 East Old Hickory Blvd., Madison, TN 37115 Phone 615-868-9020