David Kinzel Sellars Jr.

David Kinzel Sellars Jr, passed away at Marshall Medical Center after experiencing a medical emergency at his home on August 18, 2026.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, August 29, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Bills-McGaugh & Hamilton Funeral home. The family will visit with friends on Saturday from 10:00 AM until the service time.

Deke was born on July 1, 1960 to Pat Atkinson and the late David Kinzel Sellars Sr. in Atlanta, Georgia. Growing up, Pat had her hands full with Deke and his younger brother Kevin. When Deke was a Senior in High School he applied for a job at the Doraville GM plant in Doraville, Georgia. He spent the next 30 years working for GM and retired in 2009.

In 1986, Deke met his first wife and the mother of his children, Susan Elaine Sellars. In 1992, they relocated to Lewisburg, Tennessee, so that Deke could take a job at the Saturn plant in Spring Hill. Susan and Deke were married for 34 years, until Susan’s untimely passing in 2020 from Pancreatic Cancer.

But, life has a funny way of bringing people together. In June 2022, Deke married Cindy Neese Sellars in a small ceremony in their back yard. Over the last few years, it’s been clear that Cindy was sent by Susan to take care of Deke.

Deke is survived by his wife, Cindy; daughter, Patty Sellars; son, Trey Sellars; brother, Kevin Sellars; and his mother, Pat Atkinson.

Deke was a car guy, but specifically, only those with a bow tie. But don’t let him fool you, he had a few Fords on his list that he would have owned. Deke was clever, smart, and loving. He was a sucker for animals that ‘showed up’ and the best Daddy to his two kids. He loved Georgia Bulldogs football, and cringed a little when his son went off to be a UT Vol, but he was a proud Dad nonetheless.

For the last 28 years, Deke’s primary battle was with his heart. In 1998, he had his first heart attack at 38 years old and wasn’t expected to live many more years after that. But through diligent care from medical providers, and strict guidelines implemented by Susan and later on by Patty, he beat the odds.

We will miss his humor, his snarky comments, his gloating, and hearing I told you so. But most of all we will miss his unconditional love and willingness to move heaven and earth for the people he loved.

And for good measure, we have to include a Go Dawgs!