Family and friends of former Tennessee Gov. Don Sundquist packed into First Lutheran Church in downtown Nashville for his memorial service on Tuesday.
Ahead of the noon service, Sundquist lay at the state capitol where he served as governor from 1995 to 2003.
Former Rep. Jon DeBerry was elected to the General Assembly the same year Sundquist won his first gubernatorial election. After visiting the casket, DeBerry recalled how many of the conversations they had were not about politics.
“We hit it off right away because we could talk about our families, about our wives, about our children and about our futures. And that’s what I appreciated about him,” DeBerry said.
During the memorial service, Sundquist’s children shared stories. His daughter, Tania Williamson, talked about how when they lived in Minnesota, it was evident Sundquist wanted to be back in Tennessee the whole time.
Blaise Gainey WPLN NewsA portrait of Former Tennessee Gov. Don Sundquist hangs in the state capitol building.
“Snowblowers, chains on the tires, and it just wasn’t Tennessee. He knew he wouldn’t be staying long, and the word I heard is he never even gave up his Tennessee driver’s license,” Williamson said.
Sundquist died at age 87. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Martha; their three children; and two granddaughters.
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