Riley Darnell

Riley C. Darnell, 80, of Clarksville, TN was called home on October 2, 2020, after a brief battle with cancer. He passed in the comfort of his home surrounded by his family.

Riley is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Penny, his five children, Whit, Eddy, Eve, Joy, and Dawson, nine grandchildren, his brother Alex, and extended family. Riley was a loving father, husband, grandfather, and friend to everyone.

Riley entered this life on May 13, 1940, to the late Elliot Sinclair and Anita Whitfield Darnell. He attended Clarksville High School and graduated with the class of 1958. He was then accepted into Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN, where he majored in Economics and History while minoring in Political Science. He graduated from Austin Peay with a B.S. degree in 1962. Riley went on to study law at Vanderbilt University School of Law in Nashville, TN and graduated in 1965 with his J.D. degree. He was admitted to the Tennessee Bar in August 1965.

Riley began his career in public service by commissioning in the United States Air Force as a Captain in 1966, where he was assigned to the Judge Advocate General Corp until his honorable discharge in 1969. Upon his return to Clarksville, TN in 1969, he worked as a general trial practice attorney in the Law Firm of Welker and Darnell until 1993.

Riley ran for political office in 1970 and was elected to the Tennessee General Assembly as a member of the State House of Representatives, representing District 67 Montgomery County. Riley served as the Chair of the Joint Committee on Fiscal Review, House Finance, Ways, and Means Committee, and the House Judiciary Committee.

In 1980, he was elected to the Tennessee General Assembly as a member of the State Senate for District 22 representing Montgomery, Stewart, Houston, Cheatham, Robertson, Dickson, and Humphreys Counties. In the State Senate, he served as the Chair of the Transportation Committee, Senate Democratic Majority Leader, and held positions on numerous other committees.

Riley was known by his legislative colleagues for his sharp intellect, fiscal responsibility, and willingness to work in a bipartisan manner to bring progress to all Tennesseans. Some of his proudest accomplishments include working to establish a committee on children and youth and sponsoring legislation to improve Tennessee’s schools, health care, government transparency, and transportation infrastructure.

Riley became the Tennessee Secretary of State in 1993 and held that position until 2009. As Secretary of State, managing 380 employees, he was responsible for the maintenance of all official acts and proceedings of the Governor and the General Assembly and had authority over the Tennessee State Library and Archives as well as divisions responsible for the state’s electoral process, the regulation of charitable organizations to prevent theft and fraud, the incorporation of new businesses, administrative law judges, and the publication of the Tennessee Blue Book and state regulations. He also served on numerous state boards and commissions responsible for areas such as public higher education, promoting access to homeownership, and maintaining the state’s sound financial position.

Riley was a natural politician who loved connecting with his constituents and offering his assistance in any way possible. He treated his employees as family and his affection for them was reciprocated. A humble man of the people, he loved nothing more than meeting friends for lunch at one of Nashville’s venerable meat-and-threes.
Riley Darnell was, however, more than a politician: he was a statesman. His values, high ethical standards, and compassion combined with his ability to lead left a mark for which all Tennesseans can be grateful.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 10, at 2 p.m. at the Church of Christ at Trenton Crossing with Geoffrey Sikes officiating. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery with Military Honors. Visitation will be held from 12 p.m. until the hour of service Saturday, October 10, at the church.

Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers include Meredith Haddock, Gerald Reed, Tom Darnell, Stan Darnell, John Summers, and David Ussery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Riley C. Darnell Legislative Internship Scholarship at University Advancement C/O Riley C. Darnell Legislative Scholarship Fund P.O. Box 4417 Clarksville, TN, 37044. Checks made payable to APSU Foundation.

Online condolences may be made at www.Navefuneralhomes.com

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