08/28/2026
In Loving Memory of Mr. Don Fenley by Darlene Rasnick.
It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Mr. Don Fenley, a long-time and deeply cherished member of the NETAR family.
Since 2009, Don faithfully served as NETAR’s Communications/Data Independent Contractor, but his impact on NETAR, the real estate industry, and our entire region went far beyond his official title. So many of us knew Don; he was a trusted colleague, a friend, a storyteller, a source of knowledge, and, perhaps most fittingly, the Voice of Real Estate in East Tennessee.
Don was a major contributor to the conversation surrounding housing, real estate, and economic development throughout Northeast Tennessee. Through his extensive knowledge, relationships, and dedication to journalism and communications, Don helped NETAR secure thousands of dollars in media exposure for our members and the issues that mattered to our industry and our communities. He understood the importance of sharing good information, telling the story of real estate, and making sure the public understood how housing and economic development affect the lives of everyone in our region.
The National Association of REALTORS®, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President, Dr. Lawrence Yun, who followed Don on Facebook and LinkedIn media outlets, had this to say: “Don has been a great source of information for me to quickly and comprehensively understand the real estate market conditions in Northeast Tennessee. His natural curiosity of wanting to know along with his career in the media, allows him to translate what he finds into what is useful for the community – be it property owners or those wanting to buy and sell real estate. He will be deeply missed”.
His career in journalism began when he was still in high school, working for his hometown newspaper. From those humble beginnings grew an extraordinary and truly unique career that gave Don the opportunity to cover stories and meet people most of us could only imagine.
Don was the reporter who broke the Lorena Bobbitt story, a story that quickly swept across the nation and made headlines around the world. His career as a dedicated journalist also gave him the opportunity to interview some of the nation’s most influential political figures and cover countless stories of national significance.
And, of course, those of us at NETAR enjoyed hearing about some of the more colorful moments from Don’s remarkable career.
One story we loved to tease Don about involved his access to some of Hollywood’s elite. During his career, he crossed paths with the legendary John Wayne, and Don—being Don—took advantage of the opportunity and asked Mr. Wayne’s daughter out on several dates. In Don’s own words, “I found out real quick she was too expensive for my paycheck!” It was a story he could tell with that wonderful combination of humor and humility that made Don so much fun to know.
Don’s dedication to service extended beyond journalism and real estate. He also had a distinguished military career in the United States Army, serving his country during the Vietnam War. His journalism skills followed him into the military, where he also contributed to the military newspaper. Don served his country with the same dedication and commitment that he brought to every other chapter of his life.
One of the experiences Don was especially proud of came from his work covering the Blue Angels. After reporting on the team, Don was invited to fly with them as a guest—a once-in-a-lifetime experience that he talked about many times over the years. It was just one of the many remarkable stories that made up a life and career unlike any other.
But as impressive as Don’s career was, those who knew him best will remember something even more important: the man himself.
The NETAR staff and membership adored Don. He was someone people could count on. He shared his knowledge freely, helped others tell their stories, and always seemed to have another story of his own to share. His presence brought character, wisdom, humor, and warmth to our organization.
Don leaves behind an incredible professional legacy, but his greatest legacy may be the people he influenced along the way. He helped countless REALTORS®, businesses, community leaders, journalists, and members of the public better understand the issues shaping Northeast Tennessee. He opened doors, created opportunities for others, and used his remarkable career and connections to shine a light on the people and causes he believed in.
There will never be another Don Fenley.
We extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Don’s family, friends, colleagues, and all who were fortunate enough to know and love him. We hope they find comfort in knowing that Don made an extraordinary difference in the lives of so many people.
NETAR was incredibly fortunate to have Don as part of our family for so many years. We will miss his voice, his stories, his wisdom, his humor, and, most of all, him.
Rest peacefully, Don.
You truly were the Voice of Real Estate in East Tennessee, and your voice will be deeply missed—but your stories, your contributions, and your legacy will live on.
Until we meet again, Don.
If you have a story about Don that you would like to share with NETAR,
please email it to us at submit@netar.
Tribute to Don written by Darlene Rasnick.
