Eddie Dean Jernigan

View Funeral Webcast Eddie Dean Jernigan, financial analyst and the premier global commodity analyst died Wednesday, January 26, 2022, in Franklin, Tennessee. He was 65 years old. Ed boasted that being a red-haired child made him stronger. A lifelong Tennessee resident with an early educational experience on Wall Street, Ed loved engaging others in conversation. Eddie was born March 18, 1956. He graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 1978, majoring in Agricultural Economics and Mass Communications. He later served on the University’s Board of Regents. During his college tenure he was a founding member of the university’s chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. Later he received the Grand President’s award as the Outstanding Alumni and in 2004 was named the fraternity’s Man of the Century. Early bachelor years for Ed were consumed with building his financial knowledge, business, and contacts in the global cotton trade. He found refuge with his Collie dogs and his love for the Lord. His dogs, Trader, Cotton, and Walker brought him much needed unconditional love away from his business world of chaos and uncertainty. Ed Jernigan was warmly welcomed throughout the world’s six continents where cotton is grown, or textiles are manufactured. He was the industry’s primary market expert. His reputation was unequalled. At 40 years of age, Eddie started his family. His beloved Reagan Alexandra was born on April 15, 1996, causing him to remark that it was the best thing that ever happened on Tax Day. Her birth and name meant everything to him. Her name signified his love of country and President Ronald Reagan and amplified the respect he felt for one of the country’s founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton. Ed protected and loved her as a “skilled sniper,” as a loving father would. His prodigy, Caleb Duke, the apple of his eye, was born two years later, March 28, 1998. Caleb was biblically named as being faithful and bold, Duke for Ed’s love for John Wayne.  Reagan and Caleb became Ed’s world.  His relationship with the Lord gave him balance and security for his life.  His love and dedication for the Lord was principal in his life. He was quiet and private about that love but was quick to witness for the Lord should one inquire. As most important things in his life, he was very protective of his heart and private with his feelings. Ed lived his life as a private yet bold man with intense focus.  As a child and as an adult, he was proud of his perfect attendance at Church. No matter the situation or location, going to Church was expected. He was a member and Deacon at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1990-2000 and a member and Elder at Covenant Presbyterian, 2000-2011, and with Bible Fellowship Church in Brentwood since 2014. Ed was known for taking risks and for speaking his mind. He never shied away from a great debate. Everyone knew exactly what Eddie Jernigan believed about current world events. Dinner parties, family events, or in church small group meetings, Ed was a voice, a loud voice. He was well educated on political and financial issues and readily shared his views and opinions of the world. His friends and family unanimously characterized him as “One of a Kind.” He was very proud that his personal claim to fame was when George and Barbara Bush visited and lunched at his home in October 1994. He did not boast of that event. He was very active with his friend’s campaign, the late Senator Fred Thompson. Hobbies included time with his dogs and family, stamp collecting, coin collecting, memorabilia collections of John Wayne and Political Icons. He was preceded in death by his mother, Johnnie McCoin Jernigan and father, Edward Martin Jernigan of Sparta, TN. In addition to his children, daughter Reagan (fiancé, Eric Speer) of Nashville, TN and son, Caleb of Greeley, Colorado, he is survived by his brother, Mike Jernigan (Debbie) of Columbia, TN. Nieces are Brittany Jernigan and Catherine Blake Jernigan, both of Nashville, TN. His surviving nephew is Grant Jernigan (Natalie), as well as, three great-nephews William Jernigan, Christian Jernigan, and Callan Jernigan all of Columbia, TN. His extended family includes Janet Connor of Franklin, TN, Max Connor (Tayler), Nashville, TN, and Katie Connor, Houston, TX A Celebration of Life will be held at Oakes and Nichols in Columbia, TN on Sunday, February 6, 2022. Visitation will be from 1:00-3:00 PM. A service will begin at 3:00 PM. Dress is casual. Memorials can be made to the Tennessee FFA, Foundation, Inc., Box 5034, Cookeville, TN 38505. Ed often spoke of the impact his FFA Advisor had on his life. Other charities include St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org, Agriculture in the Classroom, www.agclassroom.org, or Collie Health Foundation, www.collieheath.org, or to the charity of your choice.