Donald Lee “Donny” Tarkington, age 68 of Dickson, TN went home to the arms of Jesus on December 3, 2025. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, December5, 2025 at the Taylor Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Milan Cemetery in Centerville, TN. The visitation will be held on Thursday, December 4, 2025 from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM and of Friday from 11:00 AM until the time of service.
He was born on March 30, 1957, to Robert Lee “Bob” Tarkington and Lila Sue Devore Tarkington at Boyce Clinic in Centerville, TN. Donny was born 2 months prematurely and the only thing the nurses did was wrap him in blankets as he stayed in Boyce Clinic over one month.
For years Donny worked for construction companies where he built houses and discovered a great love for finishing carpentry. He retired from R. G. Anderson Company, a general contractor in Nashville, TN after several years. Donny attended Compassion Church in Dickson. He was a devoted Christian. He loved Jesus by helping Compassion by being their security guard and as a faithful servant by helping others. Donny was born in a carpenter’s family just like Jesus, his Savior. I remember when Donny was making a shelf for his new mother-in-law’s kitchen. I went to help him knowing nothing about carpentry. I observed Donnie’s building skills by making a strong, durable, and beautiful shelf. Donnie’s skills were a great Carpenter but the most important thing I learned. He expected that kitchen shelf to be free from defects or close to perfect condition as possible. I observed his expert carpentry skills that had made in his identical life skills by following Jesus, his Savior by keeping his life from defects or close to such a perfect condition as possible to be a faithful devoted Christian.
He was preceded in death by his father Robert Lee “Bob” Tarkington and his mother, Lila Sue Devore Tarkington Applegate, and his brother, Steven Owsley, and Donny’s in-laws, Gene and Elizabeth Goodman.
He leaves behind his wife of 22 years, Jessica Dale Goodman Brumit Tarkington; son, Matthew Scott Tarkington; Stepchildren, Ashlee Paul Brumit (Julie) and Kendale Elizabeth Brumit and (Darryl Darnell); Brothers, Randal Owsley, and Robert Applegate Jacqline); sisters-in-law, Monica Owsley, Rose Wright, Sue Owsley; his grandson, Ashton Paul Brumit; Donny’s first wife, Sandra Brock; aunt, Brenda Burchard; uncle, Larry Tarkington (Donna) and his dear numerous nieces and nephews and his outstanding friends and mentors of Compassion Church.
Matthew 25:21: “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.”