Donald Geddes

Donald Robert Geddes, 75, highly respected former professor and businessman, passed away on January 15, 2023, in Nashville, his adopted hometown, of complications following a series of surgeries over the last two months of his life.

Don was born on June 16, 1947, to Jerry and Marjorie (Kehr) Geddes in St Boniface, Manitoba, Canada.  Jerry was a pilot for Trans Canada Airlines (now Air Canada), and Marjorie was an elementary school teacher focused on art, social studies, and English.

Survivors include his sweet wife, Rosemary; a brother, Duane (Susan) Geddes of New Westminster, British Columbia; his brother-in-law, Howard Witty of McMinnville; several nieces and nephews; and many dear friends.

Don grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, before the family moved to North Vancouver, British Columbia.  He maintained that Vancouver was the prettiest city in the world, an assertion that was difficult to dispute.  He and Duane flew to countless places while growing up, most often to their mother’s birthplace, a large family farm in southern Alberta.

Don’s travel experiences evolved into a career.  While operating his very successful travel agency in Northern Ontario, Don met Rosemary on a cruise.  Don knew a good thing when he saw it, and it wasn’t long before he moved to Nashville, Rosemary’s home.  The couple was married in December 1984.  He opened a travel agency in Donelson from which he and Rosemary led tours to a good number of states and countries.

After selling his agency, Don opted to return to school. At Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), he attained an undergraduate degree in two and a half years followed by his masters one year later, also from MTSU.  After an offer from Lipscomb University, he attended Southern Illinois University and attained his PhD, summa cum laude, in 2007.  After graduation, he led the Department of Computing and Information Technology at David Lipscomb and the establishment of a graduate program in Information Security.

Don was a member of Donelson Church of Christ where he and Rosemary served many faithful years with the Mission Committee, Help Center, Room at the Inn, and home church.  His memorial service will be held on Wednesday, January 25th, at 1 p.m. at the church.  The officiant will be Russ King, minister of the church.

Those inclined to send a donation in Don’s honor might consider the Donelson Church of Christ missions fund or mercy fund.