John Denny Wilkening

On Monday, September 7, 2020, John Denny Wilkening passed away at age 74. A gentle soul, loving and devoted husband, and wonderful father to three children, Denny’s memory will be cherished by all who knew him.

Denny was born March 27, 1946, in Nashville. He was a graduate of Holston High School and the University of Tennessee, both in Knoxville. Denny studied civil engineering, and he was a highly valued colleague at Smith Seckman Reid for 38 years. He married Lynn Littlejohn on December 28, 1968, and they raised three children - Scott, Doug, and Kathryn - in Franklin, TN.

Denny was known to all as a kind and gentle man, a music lover, a friend to pets of all kinds, and an avid fan of the Tennessee Vols & Titans. He enjoyed tennis, hiking, drinking wine, listening to music – especially rock & roll – and spending time with his family. He was a deacon of the Episcopal church, a member of the Jaycees and the American Society of Civil Engineers, and spent many weekends coaching a wide variety of youth sports. Denny had a goofy sense of humor with a particular penchant for puns. He also loved to dance at family celebrations and couldn’t help but snap in time or tap his wedding ring on the steering wheel when his favorite songs came on.

Denny was preceded in death by his father, Harold John Wilkening, and his wife of 49 years, Lynn Littlejohn Wilkening. He is survived by his mother, Ann Morton Wilkening, two sisters, Jean Druckenmiller and Mary Dement, three children, Scott (Laura), Doug (Janelle), and Kathryn Wilkening, and three grandchildren, Mabel, Henry, and Edith.

A private memorial service for family will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, September 24, at Woodlawn Memorial Park, with a public celebration of Denny’s life to follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Middle TN in Denny’s name.