Donald Wayne Spivey died peacefully at his home on October 12, 2011.
He was born on October 24, 1955 and resided his entire life in Kingsport, Tennessee, a town of which he was very proud to be a resident. He is survived by his parents, Carl and Dorothy Spivey of Kingsport, his son, Joseph Carl Spivey of Richmond VA, his brother Richard Spivey and wife Sandra Spivey of Kingsport
Don was fortunate enough to belong to a very strong and loving family including his nephew Matthew Alan Spivey and wife Rebecca Spivey of Atlanta, GA, his cousin/brother, Stephen Edward Harville and wife Cynthia Ann Harville of Kingsport, his cousin/brother, Patrick Hagan "Mickey" Spivey, III and wife, Teresa of Kingsport, his cousin /sister, Terri Lynn Weaver of Kingsport, his aunt/mother Irene Harville of Kingsport, his aunt/mother, Jean Spivey of Kingsport, his cousin/nephews Joshua Stephen Harville & wife Jennifer, Jordan Edward Harville and Jaron McKay Harville and cousin/nieces Alyssa Meghan Harville, Haley Dietrich and husband Andy, Brandi Slayer and husband Tony, Chesney Spivey, Megan Stout and husband Josh and Abby Weaver, all of Kingsport.
Don is also survived by his aunt Nina Ford of Atlanta, GA, aunt Florence Locke of Kingsport, cousins Harold Ford of Atlanta, GA, David Spivey of Chattanooga, David Locke, Walter Locke and Mike Locke of Kingsport.
Don was fortunate enough to have a special angel, Robin Dennison, in his life. She was his constant companion and loved him in health as well as in his time of distress. Her amazing love and support during his illness truly cannot be described in words. Robin's children Adam and Meg Dennison were also very special to Don.
Don was a graduate of Dobyns Bennett High School and East Tennessee State University and was a well respected insurance executive employed by BB&T/KDC Insurance Services where he spent his entire working life. He considered his co-employees his family as well.
Don's passion was announcing sports as the voice of the Indians and as the public address announcer for the Kingsport Mets at Hunter Wright Stadium. He was an avid golfer and coached youth basketball for over 30 years, touching the lives of many young people in this area. He loved life and enjoyed it to the fullest. He had many friends and loved them dearly.
At Don's request, the family is having a private ceremony. Don asked that all his dear friends do something that they enjoy the most, in his memory. He will be deeply missed by his family and the Kingsport community.
Officiating at the service will be David Cagle and Marvin Cameron who were true friends to him during his time of need.
Anyone wishing to show their respect to Don can do so my making a contribution to the Kingsport Boys and Girls Club.
Carter-Trent Funeral Home downtown Kingsport is in charge of the arrangements.
Carter-Trent Funeral Home obituaries at www.cartertrent.com
Submitted by Don Lane
Cedar's Take:
I met Don by pure chance. You see my first conversation with Don Spivey was by mistake, a wrong number that I had dialed trying to reach a client in Bristol Tennessee. That wrong number lead to a number of successful business deals and a friendship that I will truly miss.
Don was kind enough to introduce me to a circle of clients and friends in the Tri-Cities area that produced a tremendous amount of business for us both.
After one very successful year my company sponsored Don in a pro-am tournament at Charlotte's famed Quail Hollow Country Club at what was then the PGA Tour's Senior tour stop. The night of the pairing lottery, Don's name was drawn to be paired with none other than Arnold Palmer. Even years later he was still convinced that the lottery was rigged and that I some how arranged it so he could play with what even today is still the most recognizable name in Golf.
Over the years I'd have the pleasure of playing with Don several rounds of golf, his game flawless, and mine just a few strokes this side of embarrassing. Yet, Don was always encouraging, always kind, even if I stepped on his putting line.
I lost touch with Don around 2006 when I sold my business. It happens I suppose to even good friends who are separated by distance. But he was always on my list to do list, to visit, to buy a beer or just call to see how his swing was doing.
Thanks to Don, terms like "Little Buddy" and "Rotate" (his term for attending a Rotary meeting) and "Cod Lock" are forever engraved in my memory.
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