Don Hill was a self-less example of a follower of Christ Jesus. He was always reaching out to others with the good news of Christ. He operated his businesses in a Christ-like manner. He will be greatly missed by his many friends and by his beloved family. His obituary is from the Carter-Trent Funeral Home website:J. Don Hill, 81 of Kingsport went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, March 24, 2011 at Indian Path Medical Center in Kingsport.
He was born in Clay County, NC (Hayesville). A Christian since age 15, he and his family are members of Calvary Baptist Church where he served on numerous committees and as Chairman of the Deacons, Personnel and Finance committees. He also served the denomination in many other capacities including being a Trustee of the East Tennessee Baptist Hospital, Knoxville, Executive Committee and Trustee of Tennessee Baptist Foundation and of Tennessee Baptist Adult Homes. Mr. Hill joined the Gideons in 1964 and served on the Tennessee State Cabinet including serving as Tennessee State President from 1973 to1976. Later he served as an International Representative in Africa and Europe as well as a group leader for Extension Action Programs in Kenya, Malawi/Zambia and Brazil and traveled extensively on behalf of the Gideons.
Mr. Hill’s career in the automotive industry started in January 1955 as a salesman. With an interest in trucks, his career gravitated toward heavy truck franchises. In 1992 he divested himself of those and concentrated only on automobiles. During his career, he has owned / operated 31 franchises representing 17 manufacturers. He is past president of the Kingsport New Car Dealer Association and a member of the Tennessee Automotive Association, the National Automotive Dealers Association and the American International Automobile Dealers Association. In 2006 he was honored with the Toyota President’s Award and the Elite of Lexus Award. In all he has earned over 20 Presidents Awards. Among his numerous automotive awards over the many years, Don was named the recipient of the Andrew Jackson Award in 2001, which recognizes his community service and contribution to the automotive industry among Tennessee Automotive Association members. He was very active in community affairs through service in the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Rotary Club.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Bunyan and Hazel Mae Yates Hill; a grandson, Jeremy Franklin Chadwell and a brother, Bruce H. Hill.
Survivors include his loving wife of over 57 years, Jeana Davis Hill of the home; children, Rick and Becky Hill and their sons, Zachary and CJ, Donna Hill and her daughter, Laura Beth Cox, Deborah Chadwell and son, Gabriel, Chris and Sommer Hill and son Ryder and Brantley and Sara Beth Burris and their children, Riley and Ava; two sisters, Jean Law and Joline Cagle; brothers in law, Herbert and Bertha Davis and Clifford and Lonia Davis; aunt, Florence Robinson; along with several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 3 – 7 pm on Saturday, March 26, 2011 at Higher Ground Baptist Church, 1625 Lynn Garden Drive, Kingsport.
Funeral services will be held at 2 pm on Sunday, March 27, 2011 in Higher Ground Baptist Church with Dr. Donnie C. Brannen, Dr. Edward Johnson and Dr. Phil Hoskins, officiating. Music will be provided by Crosswise Quartet.
Burial will follow at Oak Hill Memorial Park, Kingsport. Kenneth Speakman, Tom Meyer, Danny Hilton, Noel Fuller, Peter Speropulos, Bob Sluder, Ken Sparks, and Wiley Webb will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Members of the Kingsport Gideons and the Executive Board of the Mike Jenkins Evangelist Association.
Memorial Contributions may be made to The Gideons International, Kingsport East Camp, P.O. Box 3217, Kingsport, TN 37664.
Carter-Trent Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport is serving the Hill family.
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