Donald Lea (Don) Akers, Sr. – age 81 of Knoxville, was born July 5, 1932 in Knoxville, Tenn. and died October 3, 2013 at his North Knoxville home surrounded by family. He was a graduate of Rule High School and the University of Tennessee. Don touched many lives during his more than 30 years teaching at Alice Bell Elementary, Holston and Fulton high schools and Powell Middle School. A long-time member of Central United Methodist Church in Knoxville, he served as Chair for Trustees Board, member of Chancel Choir and Married Couples Class. He was a former board member of the National Education Association, past president for the East Tennessee Education Association and the Knox County Education Association. Don served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War as a hospital corpsman assigned to the U. S. Marine Corps and was a member of the Masonic Lodge. Passionate about UT athletics, Don was a fixture at UT events for more than 40 years. He was preceded in death by parents Eugene and Hattie Akers and brothers Frank, Edwin and Ray Akers. He survived by his wife, Willeen Akers; children and their spouses: Don, Jr. and Judy Akers; Becki and J Hopson; David and Arnie Akers; Elizabeth and John Delahoussaye; Kathy Hayden; George Hayden and Chandy and James Hensley; grandchildren: Lauren and Chris Caldwell, Galveston, Texas; Adam Delahoussaye; and Elise Akers; sisters: Jean Ellis and Barbara Bruce and numerous nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be conducted at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 7, 2013 at Central United Methodist Church officiated by Reverend Bruce Galyon, Dr. Jerry Taylor and Reverend Grady Winegar. A private interment service will be held on Tuesday with full military honors presented by the Volunteer State Veterans Honor Guard. Pallbearers will be Kent Marcum, Bill Martin, Brian Daniel, Andrew Marcum, Chris Martin, Ronnie McPherson, and Todd Burchett. Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the Married Couples Sunday School of Central United Methodist Church, The Event Staff of the University of Tennessee Athletic Department, The Usher and Gatekeeper Supervisors of Thompson-Boling Arena, The Ushers and Gatekeepers of Thompson-Boling Arena, and The Staff of Rose Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Don's memory to Central United Methodist Church, 201 E. Third Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Monday prior to the funeral service at Central United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be extended at www.rosemortuary.com. Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Broadway Chapel.