Thomas E. "Tommy" Fortner

Thomas E. “Tommy” Fortner, 86, of Joelton, TN, passed away Sunday, September 14, 2025, at New Hope Senior Living in Hendersonville. Funeral Services will be conducted on Friday, September 19, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Joelton Church of Christ. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens with Kerry Cowell, Braxton Fortner, Jaxson Fortner, Darin Fortner, Jeff Fortner, Tracey Fortner, David Murray, Donnie Scott, and Frank Spickler serving as pallbearers. John Browning, Todd Creek, Jim Ford, Michael Goosetree, Gene Greene, Buford Gregory, Jack Hunter, Randall Jones, Don Krantz, Kerry Krantz, Kevin Krantz, Joe McKinney, Sonny Miller, all former baseball players coached by Coach Fortner, and the employees of New Hope Senior Living will serve as honorary pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Thursday and on Friday from 11:00 AM until the service at 1:00 PM. All visitation and services will be at Joelton Church of Christ.

Mr. Fortner was born on March 5, 1939, to the late Thomas and Sadie Corbitt Fortner. A graduate of Cumberland High School, he played football and baseball. He then toured the country as a member of the Crescendos with their hit song, Oh Julie, reaching #4 on the U.S. R&B chart and #5 on the U.S. pop chart in 1958. After touring, Tommy worked as a draftsman and eventually became self-employed as a contractor for TRC Builders. He was the minister at Hilltop Chapel Church of Christ and he was the chaplain at Bordeaux Long Term Care Nursing Home.

Besides his family, Mr. Fortner had the biggest impact on the lives of young people. He was a successful baseball coach in Joelton, was the PTO President at his children’s high school, and served for many years as the youth minister at Joelton Church of Christ. Tommy used his singing talent to glorify God as a song leader from when he was a teenager until his voice gave out on him a few years ago.

Mr. Fortner was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed duck hunting, fishing, dove hunting, and watching wildlife in his backyard. One of his greatest joys of life was sharing that love of the outdoors with his kids and grandkids.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Fortner is preceded in death by his brother: Don Fortner, by his sister: Diane F. Scott, by his son: Ray Fortner, and by his grandsons: Jason and Justin Fortner.

His greatest catch was his wife of 65 years, Virginia Cowell Fortner. Mr. Fortner is also survived by his son: Corey (Robbie) Fortner, by his daughter: Dana (David) Murray, by his daughter-in-law: Janice Fortner, by his brother: Dudley (Sue) Fortner, by his sister-in-law: Max Fortner,  by his brother-in-law: Melvin Scott, by his grandchildren, Davis (Megan) Murray, Dale Murray, Cordy Fortner, and Piper Fortner, by his granddaughter-in-law: Elizabeth Fortner and by his great-grandchildren: Braxton, Willow, Ellison, and Jaxson Fortner, and Lilah Murray, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Mr. Fortner will be remembered for the love he had for God, his family, and friends, and for his humor in telling stories and making others laugh.

THE FAMILY REQUESTS NO FLOWERS OR PLANTS so that you can donate to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Churches of Christ Disaster Relief, or a charity of your choice. Donations may be sent in care of Robertson County Funeral Home.

Robertson County Funeral Home is in charge of these arrangements.

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