David Mahanes Obituary

Mahanes Jr., David James age 81, died quietly at Alive Hospice on December 29, 2004. Mr Mahanes was born in Lexington, Kentucky, on June 19, 1923. He was the son of David J. Mahanes Sr. and Ethel Brock Mahanes. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Dorothy Richardson Mahanes; their son, David James Mahanes III (Melissa); and two grandchildren, Jackson Frazure Mahanes and Charles Bergan Mahanes. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Marcia Carolyn Mahanes, and brother, William Howard Mahanes. He graduated from Henry Clay High School (Lexington, KY) and was the recipient of the highest honor, the Yale Cup. During World War II, Mr. Mahanes served in the European theater in General Patton's 3rd Army as a second lieutenant platoon leader during which he received the Bronze Star and two Battle Stars. He retired from the Army Reserve in 1965 as a Lieutenant colonel. He sang professionally in the 1940's with big bands including Bill Cross (Disney World Director of Music) and also had his own radio show in Lexington, KY. Mr. Mahanes graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1947 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and as a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, the national scholastic honorary society for business administration. He was also a member of Kappa Alpha fraternity. In 1950, Mr. Mahanes graduated with distinction from the Harvard University Graduate School of Business with a Masters in Business Administration. He joined Brown Forman Ciorporation in 1950 and retired in 1988 as President and Chairman of Jack Daniel Distillery. He was also Chairman of other Brown Forman Subsidiaries including Early Times, Canadian Mist and Thoroughbred Plastics. In addition, Mr. Mahanes was listed in WHO'S WHO OF AMERICA, runner up as "the Gallagher Report's" outstanding sales executive of 1982 and an Honorary Kentucky Colonel. Mr. Mahanes was an avid golfer and a member of the 200 Club, the Nashville Seniors Golf Association as well as being an honorary member of the Tennessee Professional Golfers Association. He was also a member of First Presbyterian Church where he was a Stephen Minister, the Belle Meade Country Club, Sons of the American Revolution (President-Andrew Jackson Chapter), the Nashville Society of Colonial Wars (Deputy Governor General), The Nashville English Speaking Union (Vice President), Reserve Officers Associates, Harvard - Radcliffe Associates, the Nashville Exchange Club, the Beaver Creek Golf Club and the Nashville City Club. Special thanks go to Dr. David Allen, the staff at Barton House and the staff at Alive Hospice. The committal will be a private family affair. Visitation will be at the First Presbyterian Church in the Cheek House from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, January 3, 2005. Memorial services will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in the Sanctuary on Tuesday, January 4, 2005. Honorary Pallbearers; Charles D. Anderson, Jr.; Martin S. Brown; Walter B. Campbell Sr.; George E. Hetzel; James W. Hofstead; P. V. Jackson, III; William Kevin McGrath; Richard H. Philpot; James M. Ward and John A. Witherspoon Jr. In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial contributions be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Alzheimer's Association, Barton House and Alive Hospice. Arrangements by Roesch-Patton, Austin, Bracey and Charlton Funeral Home, 1715 Broadway, Nashville, TN, 244-6480. A Dignity Memorial Provider.