Franklin Dennis Dow

Franklin Dennis Dow, 79, loving husband and musician, passed away on

Wednesday, March 13, 2024.

Dennis was born in Providence, Rhode Island on October 19, 1944 to Franklin Maurice

Dow and Dorothy Hackett Dow. He married Cheryl Spahr Dow on July 8, 1999. Dennis

worked as a lifelong musician for over fifty years and, continuing to pursue his passion

for music, received his Master’s Degree in Music from the University of Tennessee in

2022.

Dennis had a passion for drums and was a talented and versatile professional drummer.

He was a veteran of the Air Force during the Vietnam War and was stationed in

Washington DC where he played in the prestigious U.S. Air Force Band.

Following his military service, he moved to Los Angeles and continued his professional

career as a drummer for over twenty years. In LA, Dennis enjoyed his time spent

working with friends at the Professional Drum Shop in Hollywood. Dennis then moved to

Knoxville and continued playing drums in the southeast with wife Cheryl, a bassist.

Dennis was a true gentleman with a quick wit and a kind heart. Not only did he love to

play jazz, he enjoyed listening to and supporting other musicians. He was preceded in

death by his father Franklin, his mother Dorothy, and his brother Robert F. Dow. He is

survived by his wife Cheryl and several nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to the members and staff of Broadway United Methodist Church and

Mount Olive Baptist Church, East for their prayers and support.

The family will have a Celebration of Life service on Saturday, March 16th, 1:30 pm at

Broadway United Methodist Church, 309 E. Broadway Ave, Maryville, TN 37804.

Donations in Dennis’s memory may be made to Broadway UMC and Young-Williams

Animal Shelter.

Gentry Griffey Funeral Chapel and Crematory is honored to serve the Dow family. Condolences may be left for the family at www.gentrygriffey.com

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