Donald Ernest Jernigan

Donald Ernest Jernigan, 75, of Cookeville, TN went home to be with the Lord on December 30, 2024, at his home.
"Don" was born November 10, 1949, in Dayton, OH to the late Olen D. and Helen Gentry Jernigan, both of Cookeville, TN.
He was the loving husband to his wife of 55 years Pamela Jean Moore Jernigan born in Butler, PA, and devoted father to his 6 children: Donna McKnight (Mike) of Franklin, OH; Donald Jernigan II (Betty) of Cookeville, TN; Thomas Jernigan (Neisha) of Miamisburg, OH; Jennifer Phillips (Dwight) of Cookeville, TN; Jason Jernigan (Kayla) of Cookeville, TN; and Jamie Sells (Ryan) of Algood, TN. He was also "Papa Don" to 17 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren, brother to Charles Jernigan (Lisa) of New Carlisle, OH and Robert Jernigan (Tammy) of Cookeville, TN, and uncle to many nieces and nephews.
Don was a longtime mechanic, starting from the age of 15. He worked for 12 years at International Harvester in Dayton, OH, and retired after many years from Montgomery County, OH, in 2002. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He played bass guitar and was a member of many different blues bands over the years. He loved spending time with family especially on Thursday night game nights.
He was a faithful believer in Jesus Christ and a member of Calvary Christian Church in Cookeville, TN.
Don was a member of the Masonic Fraternity and served as the Worshipful Master of the Cookeville Lodge #266.
He is preceded in death by his daughter Donna "Jeannie" McKnight, both parents, grandparents and numerous aunts and uncles.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Masonic Widows and Orphans Fund of Tennessee in memory of Don Jernigan.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 5, 2025, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Crest Lawn Funeral Home with family visitation from 4 to 5 p.m. Masonic Service will be conducted from 7 to 8 p.m. at the visitation. Funeral services will be held at on Monday, January 6, 2025 at 11 a.m. with visitation from 10 to 11 a.m.