Obituary of Donald G. Hitchcock

Spencer, TN-Donald G. Hitchcock, 77 was born on August 9, 1941, and passed from this life on Saturday, June 1, 2019, at his home in Spencer, Tennessee in the house where he had lived and raised his family for over 50 years.  He was the son of the late Coffman and Delma Paine Hitchcock of Van Buren County, Tennessee.  In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brother, Bill Hitchcock.

 

He is survived by his wife Shirley Ward Hitchcock whom he married on May 14, 1960 and his children, daughter Rebecca Harris and husband Tim Harris of Spencer, and their family, Catlin and Brandon Maynord, Owen and Annie of Cookeville, daughter Melodie Hodges and husband Jeff of Spencer and their family, grandson Colby Wheeler and wife, Krystyna of Spencer and great grandson Grayton Wheeler and his baby brother to be born in September of this year.  Grandson Wesley Wheeler and wife, Holly of Cookeville, Shane and Michelle Hodges and their children Tyson and Scarlett of Cookeville, Jade and Phil Lucas, Alyssa, River, Lake and Victoria.  Son, Ronnie Hitchcock and wife, Michelle of Spencer and their family Grandson Sheldon Hitchcock and wife, Alexa of Cookeville, and Granddaughter Shelene Hitchcock and her fiancé Kyle Anderson of Mt. Juliet.    He leaves his brother Larry Hitchcock and wife, Barbara of Hermitage and their family, Cheryl and Jackie Brown, Sandra and Roy Jones, Lisa and Jimmy Bently and Larry "Butch" Hitchcock and all their children.  Marilyn Baker, Special Friend of Spencer and many other neighbors and friends.

 

Don had a high work ethic and was always on the job.  His parents raised him on a farm where he learned to work long hard days.  After high school he went to work at the local garment factory which at that time was about the only place to work.  He didn't just work there he was immediately in charge of the cutting department.  After working there for a few years, he got a job with Spinlon here in Spencer.  Immediately they saw the potential Don processed and he was once again in charge of his department.  They sent him to school for advanced training and he made many friends with his co-workers that lasted a lifetime.  During this time, he had ambitions to own his own business in Spencer so in 1968 the opportunity to purchase the Hitchcock's Grocery and Dry goods store in Spencer came from his Uncle Morris Hitchcock.  Don, Bill and LeVaughn Binkley made the deal and opened up H-B-H shopping plaza. Later Don grew his business to revolve into constructing the Shell Station on the new Highway 111 in 1989 and continued to operate it until after his brother’s death when it was sold to new ownership.  Don made many friends while he operated the Shell Station.  It was a one-stop shopping experience, you could buy most anything you needed, plus he would loan you money, rent you a house or just simply give you advice. He lived by his slogan "Hitchcock's Has It."  Don had a strong family alliance and always could be found cooking on the grill, gathering all his children, friends and Democrats together for a lavish meal.  He would then go around town delivering peanut butter crackers and diet cokes to friends and local workers.  Don was a true Democrat and every year had the annual gathering of the Party under his downtown tent at the Spencer Mountain Homecoming. 

 

The funeral service will be held at Layne Funeral Home in Spencer on Tuesday, June 4, 2019, at 11:00 A. M. with Gene Brock and R. C. Christian officiating.  Burial will be in the Molloy Cemetery.  The family will receive friends on Monday from 4:00 until 9:00 P. M. and Tuesday 9:00 A. M. till time of service.

 

Send condolences to the family at www.laynefuneralhome.com

 

Layne Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Spencer in charge of arrangements