Middle Tennessee business leader J.D. Elliott dies

J.D. Elliott, founding president of The Memorial Foundation, died Wednesday at Vanderbilt University Medical Center following a brief illness.

Elliott, 78, was known as much for his caring and humble nature as his business acumen. Word of Elliott’s death spread quickly throughout the business community.

Hendersonville Chamber President Paul Goode said he worked with Elliott for well over a decade in various capacities.

“He was one of the nicest, most pleasant human beings you will ever meet,” Goode said in an interview Thursday morning. “He always focused on helping people live a better life.”

Although influential in business circles, Elliott remained approachable, Goode added.

“He didn’t seek the limelight. It was more about the heart and trying to do good,” the chamber president said.

Elliott also served as chairman of the Metro Sports Authority in Nashville.

“J.D. was a great member of our community,” Nashville Mayor Karl Dean said in a statement. “He gave back in countless ways and touched many lives throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee through his leadership of The Memorial Foundation and its charitable efforts.

“He was a steady hand at the helm of the Metro Sports Authority, known for his calm, sensible demeanor. With Anne, I extend our deepest condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with J.D.’s wife, Anita, and their children and grandchildren,” Dean added.

Titans President and CEO Steve Underwood also issued a statement regarding Elliott’s legacy.

“The Titans organization and our owners are saddened to learn of the passing of J.D. Elliott, whose life was dedicated to the service of others,” he said.

“J.D. possessed tremendous humility and never wanted or sought acclaim for his extensive, selfless philanthropic efforts. He was deeply engaged in many civic projects and also with the people whose lives he benefited. J.D. was one of the strongest advocates for all of Nashville’s professional organizations as well as a personal friend to so many in the community.

“If you wanted an example of how to live such a life—and the enduring benefits of providing your personal resources to those in need—you could not find a better or more humble role model than J.D. Elliott,” added Underwood.

Elliott was president of Nashville Memorial Hospital in Madison from 1968-94. When the hospital was sold in 1994, an endowment fund was generated from the sale of its assets. Elliott’s title changed from president of the hospital to president of the newly created Memorial Foundation.

Over the course of two decades and under Elliott’s leadership, the corpus of the fund grew from $108 million to $150 million, according to a statement released Thursday by the organization. Over that time, the foundation has served 778 organizations, with grants totaling $135 million.

“It is with deep sadness that we share with the Nashville community the news that J.D. has left us, and try to deal with the enormity of our loss,” Frank Grace Jr., chairman of the foundation’s board of directors, said in a statement. “He was the heart of our mission, from the day we were founded, to give our best in terms of resources, support and encouragement to nonprofits operating throughout our region. We will miss his warmth and wisdom every day, but will move forward into the future with his sterling legacy to guide our way.”

Scott Perry, the foundation’s vice president, will lead the organization in the immediate future, Grace said.

The city of Hendersonville received over $1 million from the foundation for its public library, according to Hendersonville Mayor Scott Foster.

Foster said the foundation, headquartered in Hendersonville, has been a tremendous asset to the city and Elliott’s leadership will be sorely missed.

“Mr. Elliott was just a wonderful steward of that hospital fund,” Foster said. “He was just a genuinely wonderful person who supported real-world solutions to problems.”

Elliott served on a host of boards including the American Red Cross, Goodpasture Christian School, Access to Justice Commission, Lipscomb University, Madison Rotary Club, Rotary Club of Nashville, Middle Tennessee Council – Boy Scouts of America, Alive Hospice, FiftyForward, Nashville’s Agenda, Nashville Zoo, Men of Valor, World Christian Broadcasting, American College of Healthcare Executives, American Hospital Association and Forward Sumner.

An elder for 25 years at Madison Church of Christ, he is survived by his wife, Anita Raines Elliott; daughters, Juanita (Jeff) Stewart and Michelle (John) Arriola; son, David (Debi); six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Spring Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery in Nashville will be handling the funeral arrangements, which are not yet complete.

Reach Tena Lee at 615-575-7116 and on Twitter @tenalee1.

Remembering J. D. Elliott

Hometown: Born in Cedar Hill, Tenn. on Oct. 24, 1936

Education: Jo Byrns High School (1954); bachelor’s degree in Business Education, Austin Peay State University; master’s degree in Hospital Administration, Northwestern University

Awards and recognition: Distinguished Service Award, Tennessee Hospital Association (1976); Meritorious Service Award, Tennessee Hospital Association (1984); Distinguished Service Award, Southeastern Hospital Conference (1983-84); Distinguished Service Award, Madison Chamber of Commerce (1978&1991); Distinguished Service Award, American College of Healthcare Executives (1991); Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary Club; Long Rifle Award and The Silver Beaver Award, Boy Scouts of America; Honoree Eagle Scout-Class of 1998, Boys Scout of America; Person of the Year, Madison Messenger (1998); Hillbilly Mayor of Madison (1987); Leadership Nashville, Class of 1996; Nashville OIC Lion of Zion Award (2004); Senior Citizens, Inc. Crowning Achievement Award (2009); Community Nashville Human Relations Award (2009); Y-CAP YMCA Hope for Life Champion (2010); Men of Valor, Human Service Award, 2011; Most Admired CEO (2013, 2014) and Nashville Business Journal Sumner County Impact Award (2013-15).