Daniel David "Dave" Stinnett

Daniel “Dave” Stinnett was born on April 24, 1947, in Madisonville, TN. As a youth he enjoyed hunting with his uncles, gardening, and auto body work. He was the epitome of a DIY guy as he could fix and make anything work.

At the age of 20, Dave was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served his country proudly as a Lineman, Cable Splicer, and Field Wireman between September 1967 to August 1972 earning the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal. There he met his beautiful wife Xieu, and had three lovely daughters. He decided to raise his family in East Tennessee so they would have an opportunity to live the American dream. His favorite pastimes were taking his daughters on rabbit hunting trips, dove shooting, fishing, and gardening which helped them foster the love of nature and being outdoors. He also enjoyed very competitive games of Rook, Rummy, basketball, and badminton.

Returning from the service he put his ability to fix anything to good use working in Maintenance at Modine Manufacturing and Rocore in Knoxville for many years. Not only did he serve his workplace well, he also served his neighbors on Lowes Ferry Road. He helped them fix their cars, lawn mowers, wells and always offered extra hands to tend their gardens, tilling, planting seeds, and eventually reaping the produce.

Dave retired early to care for his wife Xieu when she was stricken with brain cancer. After she passed, he was able to enjoy a few years attending the VFW Post with friends and spending time with his grandchildren which he loved dearly. He was also able to fill the void in his home when Rosie, a brown lab which he referred to as his “girlfriend”, came into his life and was a loving companion that kept his spirits up.

Unfortunately, his exposure to Agent Orange while in Vietnam began to take a toll on his health which limited his ability to enjoy the things he loved. He spent his final years as a resident of the Ben Atchley State Veterans Home whose wonderful staff took great care of him, especially in his final days.

He is preceded in death by his wife Xieu ‘Lee’ Stinnett, his parents Ernest & Vesta Stinnett, brother Don Stinnett, his “girlfriend” Rosie, and his brother-in-law Bill Bright.

Survivors include his 3 daughters and their spouses Wonda & Jerry Abbott, Irene & Barhyt Henry, and Mickey and Scott West; his grandchildren Luke West, Taylor West, September Abbott, Gracie West, Jeri Abbott, Izzie Henry, & Logan Henry; brother, Jerry and his wife Geneva Stinnett; and sister Faye Bright.

The family will receive friends on Friday, April 4, 2025 from 12:00 until 1:30 PM with a Celebration of Dave’s life to follow at 1:30 PM. The entombment will follow at 3:00 PM at Sherwood Memorial Gardens Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel.