David Milton Amonette

David Milton Amonette, age 80, of Loudon, Tennessee (formerly of Portland, Tennessee) passed away on June 12th, 2023, at his residence with his family by his side.
David was born in Nashville, Tennessee on September 17, 1942 to parents, Lloyd Odell Amonette & Artie Pauline Womack. A graduate of the 1960 class of Cohn High School in Nashville, Tennessee, he found his second home in Knoxville at The University of Tennessee where he met life-long friends at the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity (especially the Melrose Group) and his college sweetheart, Alice Marie Alexander, who he later married in 1964. They were married for almost sixty years, some of which they would both concur were "interesting" to say the least. They loved each other; they were equals, and as a couple they represented everything good about what marriage should mean to their children and grand-children.
Upon graduation from the University of Tennessee in 1964, he was employed by Third National Bank, opening a branch in Hermitage, Tennessee and ultimately serving as branch manager. He entered the military service in 1966 and rose to the rank of staff sergeant in the United States Air Force National Guard, serving for six years during the Vietnam War. During this time, he attended the YMCA Law School at night, graduating in June of 1973 at the height of Watergate, which he watched every night on television while holding his colicky newborn.
After being licensed to practice law in 1973, David began his law practice in the Third National Bank Legal Department. He then joined the Nashville law firm of Bone & Woods, working in the Gallatin, Tennessee branch office. The firm encouraged his desire to serve the citizens of Tennessee and he ran for State Senator in 1982. Learning quickly that the best man (or woman) for the job doesn't always win, he turned his focus towards his growing practice of law, his wife and two children, and his love of farming (beef cattle and burley tobacco) in Portland, Tennessee.
David truly loved being a lawyer; he epitomized the saying "if you choose the job you love, you'll never work a day in your life." During his fifty-year legal career, he represented the City of White House (1981-2011), the City of Portland (1991-2017), the Portland Industrial Development Board (2008-2019), and the Sumner County CASA Association, not to mention the hundreds of individuals and local businesses who needed legal assistance. Those he represented will remember him as a zealous advocate and a loyal friend during their time of need.
In addition to practicing law, and working his beloved farm, David strongly believed in serving his community. He was a longstanding member of the Gallatin Rotary Club, serving two years as President in 1990 and 1991. Ultimately, he was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow for his time and service. He also served as President of the Tennessee Municipal Attorneys Association and was an active member of the Sumner County Bar before he retired in 2020. He served on the boards of Tri-Star HCA, Volunteer State Community College Foundation, CASA, and the Portland Education Foundation. He also served one year as co-chairman of United Way in Sumner County. Throughout his life, he loved meeting people and worked hard to earn the respect of his community. As a servant-hearted leader, David will always be remembered as a true public servant and statesman.
Most importantly, David was a devoted, life-long follower of Christ, and a member of the United Methodist Church, first at West Nashville Methodist Church, then Pennington Bend Methodist Church in Donelson. Later he transferred his membership to the First United Methodist Church in Hendersonville. Finally, after moving his family to Portland, Tennessee, he joined the McKendree Memorial United Methodist Church, where he served in literally every position in the church (except preacher or music director) during his almost fifty years of membership.
David is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Alice Amonette of Loudon, Tennessee; daughter, Alyson Amonette Dyer (Danny) of Knoxville, Tennessee; son, David Andrew Amonette (Carolyn) of Franklin, Tennessee; grandchildren, who referred to him as their "Paw Paw": Jaclyn, Juliana, Jeb, Madison, John Robert, Jeremy, Isabella, Maddie, Aiden, Joseph, James, & Matthew. His greatest pride and joy (after his puppies Dusty and Bayleigh) were his children and grandchildren, who all exhibit his love of life, loyalty to family, and entrepreneurial spirit.
He is also survived by a large extended family: his beloved sister, Gail (Mike) Sullivan of Osh Kosh, WI and his brother, Jerry Stephen Amonette of Nashville, Tennessee as well as his sisters-in-law, Gail Stroud & Sherry Adams, his cousins, nieces and nephews.
There will be a celebration of David's life at 3:00 pm on Sunday, June 25th, 2023 at McKendree Memorial United Methodist Church in Portland, Tennessee with Rev. Steve VanHooser officiating followed by a fellowship supper at the church.
Visitation will be on Sunday, June 25th, 2023 from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm at McKendree Memorial United Methodist Church in Portland, Tennessee.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests you consider a donation to McKendree Memorial UMC, 208 Wheeler Street, Portland, Tennessee, 37148, his home church for almost fifty years or the Pat Summitt Foundation, 520 W. Summit Hill Drive, Suite 1101, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902, which is funding research to find a cure for Alzheimer's Disease.
Our family especially wants to thank David's healthcare providers at Amedisys Hospice of Sweetwater, Tennessee (Midge, Cindy, David, Chris, Lori, and Chaplain James), the hospice organization who helped his wife care for him during the last six months and made it possible for him to remain at home with his family while he fought his battle with Alzheimer's.