David A. Bodkin

David Arthur Bodkin was born January 6, 1939, in Gary, Indiana. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering at Indiana University and an MBA from Purdue University. He was a college professor at numerous locations including Austin Peay, University of Tennessee Nashville and Volunteer State Community College. He spent the majority of his career at Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN from where he retired after 34 years. 

In addition to his education career, David was an accomplished house painter and carpenter. 

 He married his high school sweetheart, Sharon, and was married 62 years before Sharon’s death in September 2022. They had three children, Carrie Bodkin Weatherspoon (Billy), Cathy Bodkin Derr (Rod) and Jeff Bodkin (Billie). Two grandchildren, Amanda Weatherspoon Richardson

(Sam) and Christopher Weatherspoon (Ali). Five great-grandchildren, Emmitt and Easton Richardson; Bowie, Wilder and Winnie Weatherspoon.

 David was a proud Mason, accomplished Boy Scout and an avid coin and stamp collector. He was most proud of his extensive pottery collection that began with his many trips out West to the Santa Fe area each summer with students from Cumberland University. Christmas time was his favorite part of the year. For the past few years, he grew his beard and donned a Santa suit for the annual holiday celebration at NHC Place Sumner in Gallatin where he lived. 

 He loved taking Caribbean cruises, movies, reading, sitting on the screened-in porch he made with family, helping others, his church and being with family. 

 He is preceded in death by his wife, Sharon Holdeman Bodkin, his father, Arthur Bodkin and mother Ann Bodkin.

 Visitation will be held from 5pm-8pm on Monday February 10, 2025, and Tuesday February 11, 2025, from 11am-1pm. Funeral services will follow visitation at 1pm on Tuesday February 11, 2025, at Memorial Gardens 353 East Main Street, Hendersonville, TN.