George Donald “Don” Earle was born in 1941 in Winchester, TN, much to the chagrin of his older sister, Shirley. He died on December 24, 2021, much to the dismay of his family and friends. Don had one older brother, Hoyte, an older sister, Shirley, and two younger sisters, Lorraine and Catherine. If half the stories of his youth are true, he was nothing if not a thrill-seeking child. After graduating high school, Don joined the Army National Guard and enrolled at Middle Tennessee State University. By his own admission, Don’s college career was cut short by his emphasis of socialization over academics. He claimed that he was not only kicked out but instructed never to come back. Don’s 24-year tenure with the National Guard was more successful. His fellow Guard members said that they had a blast doing things that would not be tolerated in the military today. Don hit the jackpot in 1964 when he married Janis Lightfoot. Don and Janis raised two sons, Sean and Darren. Early in their marriage, Don worked at the Home Supermarket, delivering fruits and vegetables, as well as transporting prisoners for the US Marshals Service. In 1968, Don was hired as a Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (ABC) Agent, a position he held until his retirement in 2001. His career with the ABC spanned one of the most interesting eras of Tennessee law enforcement. It began at a time when he might spend his days literally blowing up whiskey stills and his nights watching Chattanooga PD officers throw offenders through the front windows of juke joints. In 1974, an increase in the sugar tax and other factors made moonshine less profitable and many offenders switched to growing marijuana. Don was witness to the younger generation of moonshiners switch from making whiskey to growing marijuana. As marijuana enforcement became a greater priority, he was instrumental in the formation and success of the Tennessee Governor’s Task Force for Marijuana Eradication. In 1977, Don attended the 108th class of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy. He cherished the friendships he made with his partners in law enforcement over his 33-year career. He was tenacious in enforcing the law but always respectful of the rights of those who found themselves on the receiving end of law enforcement. Don passed this belief on to the next generation of law enforcement, serving as a sounding board for younger investigators and officers who had questions regarding search and seizure issues. After reaching the mandatory retirement age of the ABC in 2001, Don worked for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), where he set up security for disaster areas. In this role, he travelled to many states and US territories, setting up security sites and credentialing stations for FEMA until 2008, when he was diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma. As with his time with the National Guard and the ABC, Don enjoyed the relationships he established with his coworkers as much as he enjoyed the job itself. After leaving FEMA, Don finally did what a man his age is supposed to do–ride around with his lovely wife in a nice truck and give gum and unsolicited advice to his children and grandchildren. This advice was based on his years of life experience and the counsel of a bunch of other old guys who have finally been run off from the local Hardee’s. Don Earle’s adventures left lasting memories for friends, family, law enforcement partners, outlaws, informants, and everyone else who came into his orbit. He was a good man, loved and respected by many, and one whose presence will be sorely missed. Visitation will be Tuesday, December 28, 2021, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at 10:30am in the Moore-Cortner Chapel with Winchester Church of Christ Minister Joseph Horton officiating. Interment will follow at Franklin Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers or other gifts, the family requests making a donation to the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center at www.vicc.org/giving
