02/16/2026
Tim Donovan
Timothy Daniel Donovan, Sr., 74, of Franklin, Tenn., passed away peacefully at his home on February 10, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.
Born on May 7, 1951, in Sioux City, Iowa, Tim was the youngest child of Inez (Anderson) and Freeman Donovan. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Dale Donovan, Pat (Donovan) Sappingfield, Shirley Donovan, Paul Donovan, Mary Hammack, Mike Donovan, David Donovan, and Robert Donovan.
In 1969, Tim met Kathy Wilkie in Detroit, Michigan. Tim and Kathy shared 56 devoted years of marriage and raised seven children together: Timothy Daniel, Jr., Thomas James, Shonna Lynn, Amanda Marie, Jonathan Paul, Hannah Kathleen, and Kaitlyn Faith. Their home was faith-filled and anchored in steadfast love.
Tim founded an industrial sandblasting and painting company with Kathy in Jacksonville, Florida. His sons, Timothy, Jr., Thomas, and Jonathan, often worked with him, and Tim instilled the values of hard work and of providing for family. They would come home from a jobsite at the end of the day, sun-kissed and dusty, ready for Kathy’s home-cooked meal. Tim certainly deserved to hear the excited little voices of his daughters, Shonna, Amanda, Hannah, and Kaitlyn ringing out, “Daddy’s home!” His dedication laid a foundation for his sons, Timothy, Jr., Thomas, and Jonathan, to launch their own business ventures.
Tim’s greatest work was never confined to a jobsite. On weekends, he loaded his children into the car for adventures to the zoo, horseback riding, the science museum, Jacksonville’s River Walk, and Florida’s famous Alligator Farm. Many remember his big, strong hands. His hands were shaped by years of hard work and faithful provision. Those same hands could turn playful in an instant, tickling Timothy, Jr. and Thomas until the room filled with breathless laughter.
He had a gift for making the ordinary moments extraordinary. In the morning, he would meet with his son Thomas for breakfast to enjoy each other’s company before the work day started. Jonathan, too, spent time with Tim at breakfast, asking for advice that he knew he could trust. No matter what was broken, needed fixed, or could not be done, Tim would always find a way around, behind, or through. Evenings often ended with Hannah and Kaitlyn beside him watching The Andy Griffith Show, a quiet ritual of comfort and constancy. Hannah saw in Tim the same hero qualities from the Clint Eastwood movies they watched and the characters from The Rifleman.
Shonna loved jumping on his lap with A Little Golden Book. Tim would joke and kid around, asking who the characters were and what they were doing in the pictures. Then, he would launch into a tall tale about them as he turned the pages. Shonna would laugh and tell him, “No, that’s not what it says.” To which Tim would respond, “Are you sure? Well, you read it to me. I like it best when you read.”
When Tim moved the family to Tennessee, it didn’t take him long to buy a couple of horses, Thunder and Lightning. He had an honest way with animals, and he understood their nature. Lightning hadn’t yet been broken, but Tim approached the challenge with calm resolve. Just like in those old cowboy shows he loved to watch, Tim patiently worked with Lightning until triumph. In time, he rode a tamed Lightning across the field, even training him to rear up on command - a scene worthy of The Lone Ranger himself. He shared that love with Kaitlyn. She was riding ba****ck at three years old. He told her, “Don’t be scared. Just hold on, and you’ll be okay. I’m right here beside you.”
With the birth of his first grandchild, he stood a little taller - a father now called Papa. He had a quiet, powerful presence that made each of his grandchildren feel uniquely known and deeply loved.
When the grandchildren wanted to play outside, Papa would always be the first one to go with them. Jenny and Julie’s happiest moments were playing on the playsets with him in Nana and Papa’s yard. Even when visiting in Florida, Thomas II, Liam, and Emma waited for the familiar invitation to head outside and play, knowing Papa would be right beside them.
There was always great excitement when Papa would pick up Haley, Bella, and Savannah in his work van to go to Nana and Papa’s house for sleepovers. Whether it was sharing a meal Nana made, celebrating holidays, or making Christmas cookies, the grandkids could depend on Papa being there in his chair. At Christmastime, Lily remembers that Papa was always the one who freed the toys and Barbies from their boxes, installed the batteries, and gathered the scattered wrapping paper when the excitement had settled.
Papa found the time to take Mason to school and get breakfast with him every morning. Waffle House was a favorite spot for meals with the grandchildren. Savannah remembers how Papa would let her ride on the center console in his work truck. He was always sweet, and he always made sure she was okay and didn’t need anything. When Papa bought Bella her first car, he went with her to get the paperwork. On the way back, she noticed crackers in the center console. She asked him why they were there, and he said, “In case you get hungry.”
Jackson loved riding around on the forklift with Papa at the work yard. Papa spent time with both Jackson and Jenilee at Chick-fil-A and the library. Jenilee became his shadow following him around and asking question after question. He was always there to listen with interest to all of her chatter whether driving to school or dance classes. Raelyn enjoyed hearing stories about Papa growing up on the farm. He would share both his knowledge and his shenanigans.
Julian was the last grandchild welcomed into this world with Papa’s strong hands ready to cradle with the gentle assurance that only he could offer. When Papa looked at Julian, he saw his own red hair reflected back at him, a sweet and unmistakable sign of family carried forward.
Tim’s first grandson, Aidan, shared a love of the movie Peter Pan. He would jump up on Papa’s lap and grab Papa’s reading glasses. With a big grin on his face, Aidan would slip on those oversized glasses and just giggle with Papa, “I’m Mr. Smee!” Years later, it was a familiar sight to see Papa in his chair with his reading glasses on and Mason beside him with a pair of Papa’s reading glasses on, too. Only days ago, next to Papa’s chair were his reading glasses. Timothy, Jr. touched them and said, “Leave those there. They stay right there.”
Tim is survived by his beloved Kathy Donovan of Franklin, Tenn.; his children Tim (Dawn) Donovan of Brentwood, Tenn., Thomas (Ginny) Donovan of Jacksonville, Fla., Shonna Donovan Phelps of Pulaski, Tenn., Amanda (Mike) Street of Panama City, Fla., Jonathan (Tiffany) Donovan of Fairview, Tenn., Hannah Donovan of Nashville, Tenn., and Kaitlyn Donovan (Jim) of Franklin, Tenn.; and 16 grandchildren Haley Street, Aidan Phelps, Bella Street, Lily Phelps, Savannah Street, Julie Donovan, Jenny Donovan, Thomas Donovan II, Liam Donovan, Mason Donovan, Emma Donovan, Jackson Donovan, Raelyn Carroll, Jenilee Donovan, Madison Donovan, and Julian Donovan Baggett.
Services will be held at Harpeth Hills Memory Garden, 9090 Highway 100, Nashville, Tenn., on Feb. 18, 2026. Visitation will begin at 12:30 p.m., followed by the service at 1:30 p.m. All are welcome to join the family for a reception at the home of Dawn and Timothy Donovan, Jr. in Brentwood, Tenn.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a fund established to carry forward Tim’s commitment to the care and well-being of his granddaughter.
Hi-Yo, Silver! Away!
We love you, Papa.
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