P&E Distributors, Inc. Founding Partner Passes Away

Posted on by in Industry.

NASHVILLE, TN (01.25.22) – J. D. Eatherly, age 92 of Nashville, TN passed away peacefully in his favorite chair with his wife and grandson Josh by his side on Saturday January 22, 2022. He was Born and raised in Clarksville, TN and was the son of the late Jesse William and Douglas Serenia Chester Eatherly. He was preceded in death by his son, Steve Eatherly and step-daughter, Pam White.

When J.D. left the Marine Corps in the 40’s he went to Detroit and started working for a Rayco Auto Service franchise installing seat covers and vinyl tops. Shortly after that they opened a Rayco franchise store in East Nashville TN in the early 50’s and he transferred from Detroit to Nashville to be closer to home. In the late 50’s they opened a second Rayco Franchise downtown Nashville. It was there that in the early 1960s J. D. saw the need for a speed shop in Nashville, TN and started his own business known as Rayco Racing Division.

As the company started to grow, it later became Tennessee Speed Sport in 1962. The business continued to grow and in 1967 he incorporated P&E Distributors, dba Tennessee Speed Sport. All through the 1970’s and into the 1980’s the wholesale division of the company flourished and still continues today. He was an avid NASCAR fan. J. D. was also a very successful Real Estate Developer in his retirement and he was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

Survivors include his wife, Daisy Duke Eatherly of Nashville, TN; children, Sandy Cantrell (Gary) of Bell Buckle, TN, Donnie Eatherly (Donna) of Hendersonville, TN, Sue Ann Jennings (Al) of Lebanon, TN; step-children, Barry Burnette, Vickie Corbitt, Rhonda Burnette (LeAnne Searcy) and Martene Beasley all of Nashville, TN; daughter-in-law, Darcy Eatherly; step son-in-law, Barry White; many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Thursday January 27, 2022 at 3 PM from the Chapel of Taylor Funeral Home with Bro. Steve Baggett officiating. Place of rest will be in Dickson County Memorial Gardens. Visitation with the family will be Wednesday January 26th from 2 to 8 PM and on Thursday from 12 PM until time of service.

Those desiring memorials may be made to Glaucoma.org, Autismspeaks.org, NationalMSsociety.org or Fightingblindness.org.