Douglas Standifer

Douglas Lee Standifer passed away in his sleep just before sunrise on the morning of December 11. Lovingly called ‘GDaddy’ by his granddaughters (and often his daughters and their friends), Standifer was a respected, self-made businessman and longtime member of the Putnam County community. He had a reputation for being a bit tough and letting his opinion be known even when it wasn’t agreeable. While he was a bit rough around the edges at times, his straight forwardness will be greatly missed by his girls. Familiar to all who knew him as an avid sports fan – particularly of the Tennessee Volunteers and the New York Yankees, he was also an extraordinary left-handed golfer with dozens of tournament and championship wins across the region. He also had a passion for vehicles from classic models to racecars to trucks and collected and refurbished unique automobiles as a primary hobby. He also spent a great deal of time on both of his farms, where he raised cattle and had space for the tractors and other ‘moving equipment’ he was always collecting. He liked taking short, fun trips with his daughters and granddaughters to the beach or NYC for Yankee games and was always up for an adventure. Whether it was working or playing, he was fit and busy - continually staying active day and night, as well as being well-versed on current events and the state of the stock and trades markets. This was true until just a few weeks prior to his passing. Standifer was raised on idyllic Signal Mountain, TN, as one of four boys by the late Dion and Mary Jane Standifer. He met his wife and the mother of his children when starting college at David Lipscomb University. He then went on to graduate with a business degree from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, prior to beginning his accounting career working for Price Waterhouse’s Nashville based operations. A few years later, he ventured out on his own and moved his family to Cookeville, TN, where he opened his independent CPA and Tax/Finance Consultant firm that remained in operation from the 1970s until 2019. During this period, he accumulated dozens of top-tier clients across Tennessee and throughout the South. He also used his business savvy to invest wisely in commercial and residential real estate, eventually developing a diverse and well-situated portfolio that continues to remain strong for future generations. He is survived by his daughters, magazine editor Stacie Standifer (Tim Nichols) of Nashville, TN, and restaurant owner Susan Stroud (Slade) of Cookeville, TN, and beloved granddaughters Summer Lee Hitchcock (John), Sadie Mae Stroud and Scotlynn Standifer Stroud and one living brother, Jack Standifer (Deborah) of Birmingham, AL. There will be no visitation or funeral, only a private graveside burial gathering with his immediate family. This will be in the Cookeville Cemetery on the plot adjacent to where his deceased son, Douglas Scot Standifer is also buried, on Saturday December 12. Memorial contributions may be made to Upper Cumberland Young Life and High Hopes for Kids