John William Ezell

Passed away Monday, September 20, 2010.

He was the son of the late F. Miles, Sr. and Estelle Tune Ezell. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marilyn Eakes Ezell; daughters, Terrie (John) Robinson, Kim Owens and son, John W. (Janene) Ezell, Jr.; grandchildren, Beth (Ben) Miller, Clay (Leslie) Robinson, Kyle Robinson, Paige (David) Patton, Ashley Owens, Alex Ezell, Will Ezell, Eric Ezell and Abby Ezell; great-grandchildren, Elliotte Miller and Leah Robinson; brothers, Miles (Linda) Ezell, Jr., Roy (Marian) Ezell; sister, Bettye Thomas; aunt, Sara Young.

Mr. Ezell was born on June 18, 1929. He graduated from Donelson High School and attended David Lipscomb College. He was the son of a dairy farmer and grew up milking cows and delivering milk. Through his humble beginnings he learned the value of honesty and hard work and in 1950 he began his career in the family business, Purity Dairies, where he continued to work until his death. Mr. Ezell was named one of Lipscomb University’s Business Men of the Year. He served on numerous boards including Adventure Science Center, Goodpasture Christian School, Lipscomb University, Lakeshore Estates, African Christian Schools, Boy Scouts of America, Tennessee Dairy Products Association, Master Dairies and American Cultured Dairy Products Association. He was a member of Richland Country Club. Mr. Ezell was an avid outdoorsman who loved golf, snow skiing and cycling. His true passion was photography. He took numerous trips all over the world riding his bicycle and taking photographs. He generously shared these with everyone he met greeting them with a smile and “Have a Blest Day.” Mr. Ezell was an active member of Brentwood Hills Church of Christ. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 24 at Brentwood Hills Church of Christ, 5120 Franklin Pike. Visitation 4-8 p.m. Thursday, September 23 and 1 hour prior to service at Brentwood Hills Church of Christ. Private family burial. Active Pallbearers: Clay Robinson, Kyle Robinson, Will Ezell, Eric Ezell, Ben Miller, David Patton, Stan Ezell, Gil Ezell, Mark Ezell, David Thomas and Allen Thomas. Honorary Pallbearers: Dick Mehaffey, Bill Hardison, Bobby Gaw, James Brown, Clarence Daily, Jon Lowrance, Jim Thomas, Randy Lowry, Bennie Harris, Ron Rubin, The Son Seekers Class and Elders and Deacons at Brentwood Hills Church of Christ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lipscomb University, Lakeshore Estates or AGAPE. Woodlawn Roesch-Patton Funeral Home, 660 Thompson Lane, Nashville, TN 37204, 615-383-4754.