Donald Bivens

Born in Athens, Tennessee on March 29, 1931

Departed on December 23, 2015 and resided in Brentwood, Tennessee

Donald Clarence Bivens, age 84 of Brentwood, died at his home on Wednesday, December 23, 2015.

Don was born in Athens, Tennessee on March 29, 1931. He met his wife Judy at the Soil Conservation Service office in Cookeville where they both worked while attending Tennessee Technological University. After graduating with a BS in Agricultural Science and his marriage to Judy in 1951 he spent several years as a Captain in the US Army and almost 20 years in the Army Reserve. He earned a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma in 1972. Don enjoyed a 36 year career with the USDA, Soil Conservation Service that took him and his family across Tennessee from Jonesboro to Gainesboro, then to Indiana, Missouri, Colorado, Oregon and back to Tennessee in 1975 when he became the State Conservationist. He retired in 1987 and immediately started a new career as a realtor and especially enjoyed involvement with farm land and rural properties. Don was a pilot, farmer, and gardener who loved to travel as well as stay home and mow the yard. He loved camping with family and friends on the family farm in Sweetwater, TN and vacationing in Destin, FL.

He was preceded in death by his parents Clarence Singleton and Hazel Kyker Bivens, and his brother Bill Bivens. His sister, Helen Murray, died on December 26, 2015.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years Mrs. Judith Ann Hill Bivens; his four daughters Sandy Bivens (Bob Parrish), Susan Bush (Gary), Donita Powell (Bill), and Sara Beth Schwab (Al); his seven grandchildren Tanner Bush (Nichole), Eric Bush (Lauren), Kyler Bush (Felicia), Jillian Westervelt (Norman), Alec Schwab, Nate Schwab, and Ben Schwab; his eight great grandchildren Taylor Bush, Bella Bush, Mae Bush, Lila Bush, Zoey Bush, Atlas Bush, Evelyn Bush, and James Westervelt; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family sincerely wishes to thank Terry Nightwine and Sandy Redferrin for the good care and love they have given to Don and Judy.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 2, 2016 at 12:00 noon at St. Henry Catholic Church with a Celebration of Life Service in the Chapel at 1:30pm followed by a gathering of family & friends at 3:00pm at the Warner Park Nature Center.

A private family burial will be held on Sunday, January 3, 2016 at the Hill Cemetery in Cookeville, Tennessee.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Friends of Warner Parks or a charity of your choice.