Doug Fenn

Douglas Fenn passed away on Tuesday, February 23 at his home in Louisville, Kentucky. Doug was born in Tell City, Indiana in 1948 to Marjorie (Bruner) and Paul Fenn. He was a graduate of Tell City High School and University of Evansville. In college, Doug met his first wife Donna (Nix), and they were married in 1971. In 1978, they welcomed their son Chris. Doug started as a factory employee at the age of 15 and spent his entire career at The Tell City Chair Company. In 1989, he took the helm of the more than 100 year old family-owned business. As a leader, Doug was recognized as gracious and measured, qualities that would define him in business and in his personal life. After the death of his first wife, Doug found love again with Elizabeth (Liz) Gross. The two were married in 2013 and made their home in Louisville, Kentucky. Doug lived a full life. He was a private man, but shared what he enjoyed with family and close friends. He most loved being "Pop-Pop" to granddaughter Harper. His face would light up with the silliest grins as he bounced her and other young family members on his knees. As a lover of art and music, Doug was equally at home in basement jazz clubs and local art fairs as he was in concert halls and fine art galleries. He embraced travel, from his youngest days on business trips with his father through his middle years traveling to Europe with his first wife and dear friends, and later with Liz, his traveling companion and partner. He loved to explore all there was to experience in foods and culture. He enjoyed cooking and many nights could be found in his kitchen chopping and dicing for a new or favorite recipe. Baking cookies and making dinner with Harper was a treasured joy. Doug took great pleasure in kayaking and hiking. He enjoyed the calm of the outdoors and the beauty of the natural world, a quality that he shared with his son. Doug spent the first 60 years of his life in his hometown where he gave to his community as a business leader and in volunteer roles, including chairman of United Way of Perry County and creator of the Donna Fenn Literacy Fund. Doug also served as Director of the Chamber Music Society of Louisville, was an International Trade Ambassador for the State of Indiana, and served on boards for the Ohio Valley Chapter of the Forests Products Research Society, the Evansville Visiting Nurses Association, and the National Association of Furniture Manufacturers, where he also served for a term as president. Doug was preceded in death by his father Paul Fenn and his first wife, Donna. He is survived by his wife Liz Gross, mother Marjorie Fenn, his son Chris, daughter-in-law Summer, and granddaughter Harper, sisters Tina and Julie (Bob), brothers Mark (Rebecca) and Bruce (Tracie), two nephews, and five nieces. He will be greatly missed by the Nix family-Christian Nix and Barbara Liffick (Thomas), and the Gross family-Ginny, Kay, Gary, Rick, Laura, Anne, Jeff, Dave, Tracy, and two generations of nieces and nephews. Doug was cherished by family and friends and will be deeply missed. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Donna Fenn Literacy Fund: Donna Fenn Literacy Fund 700 Main Street, 2nd floor P.O. Box 13 Tell City, Indiana 47586 812-547-3176 (main) Due to Covid-19, services will be private at Huber Funeral Home, Tell City Chapel.