Dana S. Simerly-age 74 of Maynardville passed away Friday, September 30, 2022 at his home. We have lost a good friend, son, brother, father, grandfather and uncle. The community has lost a caring and giving individual. Humanity has lost a loving, kind, giving, generous, and all-around exceptional human being. Dana’s friends and family have been fortunate to see his place, known as Zoolook, evolve from a rugged wooded fifty-some acres to a subtlety managed wildlife preserve of great beauty. He spent many years hand building his house made of cypress, with hand carved and finished logs in their natural shapes inside the all-open interior with the ceiling dominated by a very large riverboat captain's wheel chandelier he had recovered and rebuilt. From the elevator entrance to a Mastodon's jaw, it quickly becomes evident that this is a museum of Dana's life, a life like few have lived. Dana had a personal connection to every item in his house, each part of an interesting story of a most interesting man.
Dana’s impact on the community was far-reaching. He was a past director and consultant of Union County’s Local Emergency Planning Committee. He supported Janet’s Cystic Fibrosis Walk-a-thons, the Humane Society, and the Union County Farmers Market where he shaped our vision of a community committed to the future and sustainability of local farms and agricultural commerce. Where help was needed, Dana was always there.
“Think where man’s glory most begins and ends, and say my glory was I had such friends.” Yeats
He was preceded in death by daughter, Shannon Simerly; parents, Sherman and Nell (Bolling) Simerly.
Survivors: two sons, Khristophor Simerly and wife, Jessica of Belleville, Michigan; Dana Dowlin Paik-Simerly and wife, Debbie of Seattle, Washington. Two grandchildren, Dominic Thomas and Bianca Barney. Three sisters, Dion Keith and Sue Hamby, both of Knoxville; Tammy June Sinnott of Florida. Several nieces and nephews along with a host of friends.
The family will receive friends 5-7 p.m. Friday, October 7, 2022 with a memorial service to follow at 7 p.m. Friday, Cooke-Campbell Mortuary Chapel, Rev. Greg Sharp officiating. The family asks in lieu of sending flowers, to please make a donation to the Union County Humane Society in his honor. Arrangements by Cooke-Campbell Mortuary, Maynardville.