Donald Bayless Anderson

Donald Bayless Anderson, Age 65; of Knoxville passed away suddenly at his home on May 5th. He was born December 1st, 1955 in Columbia TN. He graduated from Columbia Military Academy . He went to The University of Tennessee where he was an active member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. Don was well known in the Knoxville Restaurant Community. He started working at Regas Restaurant as a server in 1979. His hard work led him to a General Manager position and then he became President of Regas in 1991.

While at Regas he became President of The Tennessee Restaurant Association. In 1998 he was voted Restaurateur of the Year. He continued his career as Managing Partner at Italian Market Grill, Tennessee Grill, & Baker Peters. In 2005 he became owner of New Knox Brewery Co. He then became owner of Mulligans Restaurant in 2006. After Mulligans moved locations, he opened Tennessee Tap House in 2017 with his wife and his daughter.

Don had a great appreciation for good food and craft beer. He loved to grill thus earning the nickname of GrillMan. While at UT, he was always grilling food for his fraternity brothers who still call him that to this day. Don loved all sports. He was an avid UT fan. He listened to SportsTalk on the radio or his phone. Everyday. All day. One of his favorite places to be was at his farm - hunting, fishing, and just getting away. Don loved his friends. He was always ready to help everyone. He was the kind of guy that would give you the shirt off his back. Don loved his family. He especially enjoyed time with his granddaughters.

He is survived by Patti, his wife of 35 years; Daughters, Macy and Sarah ; Son, Matt and his Wife Jessica ; Granddaughters , Addie Joy & Paisley Grace Anderson ; Brother, Haywood, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Receiving of Friends will be held on Monday, May 10th at 3:30 pm with a memorial service to follow at 5:30 PM at Berry Highland West Funeral Home, 9913 Sherrill Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37932.

In lieu of flowers, Don would have liked donations made to Alzheimer’s Tennessee due to years spent caring for his Aunt Myrlene.

Mail to:

5801 Kingston Pike

Knoxville, TN 37919

or online at alztennessee.org