Tennessee SJR 758: Memorials, Death - Donald Ledford -

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SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 758
By Gardenhire

A RESOLUTION to honor the memory of Donald Holt "Don"
Ledford of Bradley County.

WHEREAS, the members of this General Assembly were greatly saddened to learn of
the passing of Donald Holt "Don" Ledford; and
WHEREAS, Don Ledford was an exemplary public servant and consummate
professional who worked assiduously to improve the quality of life for his fellow citizens in
numerous capacities; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ledford was a lifelong entrepreneur whose work ethic and dedication to
excellence were highly regarded by the members of his community; and
WHEREAS, Don Ledford's familial roots in Bradley County can be traced back to the late
1800s, when his great-grandfather William Lafayette Ledford purchased a 2,500-acre farm in
Charleston; and
WHEREAS, the founder of Don Ledford Automotive Center, Mr. Ledford began working
at a very young age, working on family farms before learning the saw milling trade; at the age of
fourteen, he purchased and staffed his own sawmill, providing lumber for numerous construction
projects in his area; and
WHEREAS, in his twenties, Don Ledford began his long career in the automobile
industry, driving to Detroit, Michigan, to purchase cars and bring them back to Tennessee to
sell; the endeavor subsequently grew into a large and well-known operation; and
WHEREAS, in the 1970s, Mr. Ledford began developing properties before venturing into
the warehousing business; he was one of the first people to bring the concept of mini-
warehousing to Cleveland and was later one of the first commercial warehousing developers in
the area; and

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WHEREAS, his first commercial warehousing project was a truck terminal for Mason
Dixon truck lines; he subsequently obtained contracts from such nationally known companies as
Duracell, Eaton, and Georgia Pacific; and
WHEREAS, in 1981, Don Ledford opened Don Ledford Pontiac Buick, which would later
become Don Ledford Pontiac Buick Cadillac GMC in 2001; in 2007, Mr. Ledford acquired
Heritage Pontiac Buick GMC and Athens Chevrolet Cadillac and combined the two dealerships
into one; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ledford was an active and devout member of Center Point Baptist
Church, which he served faithfully for many years; and
WHEREAS, active in his community, Don Ledford was a former Cleveland Rotarian and
Elks Lodge member; and
WHEREAS, he was also deeply devoted to his family, and he always endeavored to
remain true to family values of the highest order; and
WHEREAS, Don Ledford is survived by his children, Donald Holt Ledford II and Debbie
Ledford (James) Melton; his lifelong companion and friend, Melody Pendergrass; his six
grandchildren, Lauren Olivia Ledford, Caroline Reed Ledford, Julia Holt Ledford, James William
Melton, Ella Marie Melton, and Jessica Ann Melton; several nieces and nephews; his former
wife, Ella Sue Bacon Ledford; and close friends, Randy and Wendy Scott, Sammy Shelton,
Trinity Scott, Misty Pendergrass, and Hannah Lawson; and
WHEREAS, he was preceded in death by his parents, William LaFayette Ledford and
Myrtle Frances Shields Ledford; his brother, William Julian Ledford; and his sister, Betty Jean
McDaniel; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ledford leaves behind an indelible legacy of integrity and probity in
public life, compassion and loyalty in private life, and diligence and dedication in all his chosen
endeavors; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting that the members of this General Assembly should pause to
remember the bountiful life of this exceptional public servant and human being; now, therefore,

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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED ELEVENTH GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
CONCURRING, that we honor the memory of Donald Holt "Don" Ledford, reflecting fondly upon
his impeccable character and his stalwart commitment to living the examined life with courage
and conviction.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we express our sympathy and offer our condolences
to the family of Mr. Ledford.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an appropriate copy of this resolution be prepared
for presentation with this final clause omitted from such copy and upon proper request made to
the appropriate clerk, the language appearing immediately following the State seal appear
without House or Senate designation.