Don Carlos Birdwell, age 96, passed away on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at Morning Pointe of Franklin, TN.
Don was born December 7, 1928, in Gallatin, TN to the late Clay and Navie Birdwell. Don graduated from Gallatin High School in May 1947 and graduated from Cumberland University in 1951 and Cumberland University School of Law in 1954. Don was married for 71 years to his childhood sweetheart the late Betty Patterson Birdwell.
After Don graduated high school, his father gave him two options: buy the farm next to theirs and farm tobacco or go to college. “I knew there had to be a better sight than the rear-end of a mule, so I chose college”. In 1951, while in college, Don joined the Tennessee National Guard during the Korean War. Much to his surprise, twenty-eight days after joining the Guard, he and his fellow Guard members were ordered to active duty as a Military Police Battalion at Fort Meade, Maryland. During the following three years, he served as a criminal investigator in Maryland, Georgia, and in the American Embassy in Rome, Italy.
Don had a long and fulfilling 23-year career in the FBI as a special agent working out of Washington D.C., Chicago, IL, Indianapolis, Ind., Fort Wayne, Ind., and Clarksville, Tenn.
Following retirement from the FBI, he enjoyed 15 years of employment as a Trust Officer with what is now Regions Bank. After retirement from the bank, he was employed again for 12 years as a contract background investigator with the FBI.
Don was a member of the United Methodist Church for more than 70 years. Don enjoyed golf and playing card games, especially bridge. He was an active member of the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI, a national organization supporting former FBI agents and enjoyed attending their monthly meetings in Brentwood, Tennessee. Big Don, as affectionately called by his grandchildren, favorite times were those spent with his family. When Don was asked what he is most proud of in his life, he shared, “Marrying my wife, Betty, having our four wonderful sons, and being a Christian.”
Don is survived by his four sons: Don C. (Susan) Birdwell, Jr. of Franklin TN, Clay Birdwell of Brentwood, TN, Steve (Beth) Birdwell of Hilton Head, SC, David (Vanessa) Birdwell of Marietta, GA, grandchildren: Katie (Frank) Hubbuch of Franklin, TN, Rebecca (Zach) Romine of Franklin, TN, Mary Catherine (Wesley) Williams of Chicago, IL, Louisa (Sean) Noonan of Ashland, OR, Arden (Thomas) Pennington of Brooklyn, NY, Navie Birdwell, of Nashville, TN, Reed Birdwell, of Atlanta, GA and eight great grandchildren, Hannah and Grayson Hubbuch, Cole and Mason Romine and Olivia, Selene and Miles Williams and the soon-to-be born great-grandbaby Pennington (due Jan 3rd)
A Celebration of Life service followed by a reception will be held on Friday January 10th at 1:30 pm at Madison Street United Methodist Church, 319 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN 37040.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to the Don C Birdwell Scholarship in the Criminal Justice Program at Cumberland University, 1 Cumberland Square, Lebanon, TN 37087, Attn: Office of Advancement (online gifts: Give Beyond at Cumberland University | Cumberland University) or Madison St. United Methodist Church, 319 Madison St. Clarksville, TN 37040. (online gifts: give – Madison Street United Methodist Church)
Arrangements are entrusted to Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home, 1510 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN 37040; (931) 645-6488. Online condolences may be made at www.nealtarpleyparchman.com.