Tommy R Fleenor

Tommy Robert Fleenor, age 88, of Mt. Juliet, TN, formerly of Kingsport, TN, went to be with the Lord on August 4, 2024, following a brief period of declining health. He was a beloved husband to Dot, a precious daddy, a devoted papa, and a good friend to many.

 Tom was born on May 20, 1936, in Church Hill, TN to John Thomas and Esther Christian Fleenor. He married Dorothy (Dot) Davis in 1956, and they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary just before her death in June, 2021.

 Tom served honorably in the U.S. Army. He was employed with Mason & Dixon in Kingsport, and was transferred to their Nashville terminal in 1981, at which time he relocated his family to the Mt. Juliet area. Upon Mason & Dixon's closure, he worked for Consolidated Freightways until his retirement in 1998. He was a member of First Church of God in Kingsport and Cooks United Methodist Church in Mt. Juliet.

 Tom was a 1955 graduate of Church Hill High School, where he was captain of the football team. He married the love of his life on June 18, 1956, and together they raised four children. 

 Tom was very active in his children's sports, choosing to work night shifts in order to be available to assist with coaching, and to attend every practice and game they had. He and Dot always had a spot in the vehicle for anyone who needed rides to and from games. He was active in the Ketron Booster's Club. When his grandchildren came along, he and Dot attended their golf matches and their ball games, sometimes at different ball fields due to his grandchildren playing on different teams. They always made a way.

 Tom was a wonderful provider, ensuring that his family had everything they needed and a lot of what they wanted! He and Dot especially enjoyed their family vacations in Myrtle Beach, and many hours of bargain hunting at yard sales. And of course, he and Dot spoiled their grandchildren as only grandparents do!

 Tom was an avid golfer, with his love of the game beginning when caddying at Silver Lake Golf Course while still in high school. His golfing buddies became lifelong friends, and he played at least weekly until a few years ago when his health didn't allow it. He was a tinkerer of small engines, from weed eaters, to push mowers, to riding mowers.

 In addition to his birth mother Clara Esther Christian Fleenor and parents Tom and Mildred Fleenor, Tom was preceded in death by his sweetheart, Dot; sister Phyllis Fleenor Cox, brother Bobby Fleenor, brother-in law and best friend Edward DeZarn, brothers-in-law Bill and Lyle Davis, in-laws Joe and Naomi Davis, and special aunt and uncle Della and Thurley Crawford, by whom he was loved and nurtured after the untimely death of his mom when he was only 7 years old.

 He is survived by his children, Connie (Tim) Fletcher, Scott (Theresa) Fleenor, David Fleenor, and Traci Fleenor Gentry and father of her children Sam Gentry; bonus daughter Laney (Chris) Chitwood and family; beloved grandchildren Jeffrey Gentry and Hannah Gentry; sisters Louise DeZarn and Donna (David) Sensabaugh; brother John Fleenor; sister- and brother-in-law Bob and Carolyn Jarvis; several nieces, nephews, and friends, including his former co-worker and mower-tinkering buddy Richard Ogden.

 TriStar Cremation is serving the Fleenor family.  Visitation will be at Pine Creek Golf Course clubhouse on Friday 8/30 from 6:30-8:00pm.Remarks by Rev. Thomas "Tip" Mosley. www.tristarcremation.com\obituaries.

 The family would like to thank Tom's devoted physician assistant Shelby Johnson of Vanderbilt, who lovingly helped us navigate his health challenges over the past three years. We also want to thank his long-time doctor Greg Witters and nurse Marcia, who cared for him and Dot and family for 40+ years. Also the staffs of Vanderbilt downtown and Vanderbilt Lebanon, and Alive Hospice.