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Don Wise Obituary
A natural in any style of music, Don was given the 1980 trophy for Outstanding Sax Player of the Year from the Oklahoma Country Music Association. He toured the US and abroad with several bands, working with Delbert McClinton for 23 years. He received a nomination and a Grammy for his work on 2 CDs with Delbert and the band.
Don released 4 CDs of his own. He was recognized for one of those with the 2002 Instrumentalist "Cammy" at the Carolina Beach Music Awards. One of his coolest gigs was when Don Wise soloed for Ray Charles' performance on the ESPY Awards national television show. Many of Don's memorable performances are preserved on YouTube. After retiring from the road in 2008, he pursued his passions for cooking, gardening, and art.
He is preceded in death by father George Wise, Jr.; mother Thelma Spencer Wise; and sister Susan Wise.
Don is survived by his lovely wife of 33 years, Pamela Smith Wise, of Knoxville, TN; children: Don Wise, Jr. (Rachel) of Lawton, OK; George Wise of Nashville, TN; Michelle Wise (Bill Frye) of Canton, GA; Jason Wise of Lawton, OK; 12 grandchildren; one great grandchild and one due in March.
Don was of the Baptist faith and a member of the Great Smoky Mountain Emmaus Community.
A Memorial Service will held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Seymour Volunteer Fire Dept., P.O. Box 241, Seymour, TN 37865, the Joy of Music School, 1209 Euclid Avenue NW #1, Knoxville, TN 37921 or to a charity of your choice. The family invites friends to sign the online guestbook and share fond memories of Don at www.berryfuneralhome.com
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Michelle Wise
March 24, 2024
Today, I would like to celebrate my dad. He was born March 24, 1942, in Westerly (White Rock), Rhode Island. He came from humble beginnings...and yet when he grew up, he traveled the world. Anyone who knew him could tell how gifted and talented he was...people would come from all over just to hear him play the saxophone. He was clever, my dad. He could tell a story, that painted a picture in your mind´s eye, and you would feel like you were actually there, in whatever adventure or mischief he was describing. My father was quiet, and honestly kind of shy, (which is weird for a guy who made his living on stage), and he was only gregarious with people he liked and felt comfortable with. He was so creative...he could cook the most delicious meals, he painted gorgeously, colorful scenes, and he put into words, witty, funny, and sometimes scathing paragraphs. My dad had a way of making you feel like you were part of his club...that his attention towards you meant that you were just as humorous, intelligent, and amazing as he was. People gravitated to him, because he just had a good energy about him that made you feel calm and relaxed...and you knew if he was there, a good time was about to happen. My dad was bigger than life...I guess that is why I miss him so much. So, on this day, in celebration of my father´s birthday, I hope that his friends and family around the world will take just a moment out of there day to remember him...happy thoughts, precious memories and special moments spent laughing with my dad. Today on his birthday, I would like us all to celebrate his life. Happy Birthday Dad...I miss you every day, but especially today.
Claudio Verfuerth
March 14, 2024
R.I.P. my friend!
Claudio Verfuerth
March 14, 2024
R.I.P. my friend!
Suzie Herrman
March 8, 2024
I have many fond memories of shared times together with Don and Pam and Steve and me. One memory of Don that is really special is that he introduced me to Steve in 1991. Steve was in Nashville from Texas staying with Don. He came up to do the Ralph Emery show with Delbert. I was in Nashville from another part of Texas at the Opryland Hotel for a work convention. Don and I were friends from when he lived in West Texas so I called him to say hello. The story is he asked me if I wanted to go lunch and I said "yes". He said do you mind if I bring the trumpet player, and I said "no, I don't mind". That was how we met and spent many good memories with the four of us, including fine meals at their condo in Knoxville, our fun adventures in Norway, just to name a few.
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Michelle Wise
March 8, 2024
With my father´s passing, it feels like the world is just off kilter. This person who has always been my "North Star" ...my way home... is now no longer of this earth...everything seems unbalanced. I am having difficulty understanding life without him being just a phone call away. However, my Dad would not want me to wallow in my sadness; he would want his life to be celebrated. So, in that vein, I will tell you that currently "Dad jokes," are a trending topic on social media. Many people may not know that my father was the King of the "Dad jokes." For those who do not know, a "Dad Joke." is a clean joke Dad´s tell their children, usually repetitively, that are silly, usually corny but almost always make you smile and if it is a good joke, it makes you giggle. My Dad loved a good "Dad joke," as an example whenever someone asked in an old movie, "Can I join you in a cup of coffee?" My Dad would respond to the TV, "Um, Okay but I don´t think we´ll fit." (Silly and funny!) Ever since I can remember, my Dad´s running bit, was when you would say something that sounded like it could be a name, he would claim that he went to school with someone with that name. For example, I could tell him about a movie, and I would say that the star was a clairvoyant in the movie. He would say without missing a beat, "I went to school with a girl named, Clara Voyant." (Cue the silly giggle) Well for the holidays, I will be serving Virginia Ham. He would say, "I went to school with a girl named, Virginia Ham." (cue the laughter)
My father was ahead of his time. It is quirky, and funny, and it is a moment of shared silliness that passed between father and daughter many times over my whole life. It is so ingrained in me that I do it with my kids and now my grandson. It is a tradition that has been passed down from my father to me and now to my kids. They are jokes that will always make me smile and think of my Dad. I know he is in a better place. A place where he is young again, no breathing or heart problems, no cane, and no more arthritis. Hey, I went to school with a boy named Arthur Ritis. (Makes me chuckle every time!) I love you and I miss you, Dad!
Michelle Wise
March 8, 2024
Rebekah West
March 5, 2024
Don was such a talented man!!!
He made a mark in music, art, and everyone who knew him
Jostein and Anne Marie
March 3, 2024
Good memories from Bømlo, Norway 2007. R.I.P.
Linda Wise Perna
March 3, 2024
My favorite memory of Cousin Donnie was as a teen age practicing in his room on his Saxophone and the music was playing and he was too- out his room window. His traveling life we saw fleeting times with, but he was always in my heart and mind! He would be happy to know I also am part of the Emmaus Community, rest well my sweet cousin
Renee Boutin-Tsanjoures
March 3, 2024
Sorry to hear about Don Wise! Would get a chance to talk to him for many years both on Delbert's Sandy Beaches Cruises, as well as when he played around the New England area. We would tease about whether or not Connecticut (where my husband and I are from/or Rhode Island, where Don was from) and end up laughing. Always took time to be kind with fans! Rest in Peace, Don! Hugs, Hat & Ted, too!
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3704 Chapman Highway, Knoxville, TN 37920
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