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Shaw Rugs' Industry Icon Don Whitfield Dies at 84

The former head of the rug division of the once-industry leading rug division at Shaw Industries is credited with building its successful area rug business.

7/2/2020
Portrait of Don Whitfield
Industry Icon Don Whitfield spent 30 years in the floor covering industry.
 
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Iconic former head of the rug division at Shaw Industries, Durward "Don" Garland Whitfield, 84, passed away peacefully with family at his side at Life Care of Redbank in Chattanooga on July 1, 2020.  

He was an executive in the floor covering industry for more than 30 years, working principally with Shaw Industries. He is credited with having built the innovative and highly successful rug division for Shaw Industries.  He is credited with mentoring many who later became top executives in the industry.

After retiring from Shaw, Whitfield served as a consultant to flooring businesses across the country.  An avid golfer, boating enthusiast and airplane pilot, Whitfield lived life to the fullest, rarely missing any opportunity for a new adventure.

He was born on Sept. 16, 1935, in Charlotte, N.C., and was preceded in death by his parents, Durward Garland and Louise Chandler Whitfield and his son, Bart Whitfield.

He is survived by his college sweetheart, Jane Pierce Whitfield and daughter, Beverly (Richard) Hanson, and son, Judd (Lorna) Whitfield and granddaughter, Andrea; sisters, Martha (Charles) Sternbergh and Dottie (Tony) Evans; nieces and nephews.

Whitfield graduated from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.  He was an avid 'Tar Heel' all of his life, and a proud member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity where he developed lifelong friendships.  He served our nation in the US Air Force.  He was a member of Grace Works Church in Chattanooga.

Arrangements are by the Neptune Society and the Chattanooga Funeral Home.  He will rest beside his son Bart in California.

The family wishes to thank the staff of the Summit View Senior Community for their kind, compassionate care of Don during the last year of his life.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Summit View Community Fund, 825 Runyan Drive, Chattanooga, TN  37405.

Please share your memories at Chattanooga Valley View Chapel.
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