Cookeville, TN - Tracy Franklin Farnsworth, 76, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2026, in Cookeville, Tennessee, surrounded by his loving family.

If you knew Tracy, you knew one thing immediately. He never met a stranger. A quick trip anywhere often turned into a long conversation because Tracy had a gift for making people feel welcome from the moment they met him. His warmth, humor, and genuine interest in others meant that by the time you walked away, you felt like you had known him for years.

Born June 20, 1949, in Danville, Illinois, Tracy graduated from Rossville-Alvin High School and carried those small-town values with him throughout his life: hard work, loyalty, kindness, and taking care of the people around him.

Tracy spent most of his life in Illinois, where he built his home, raised his family, and became part of the communities of Henning, Rossville, and Danville.

Tracy loved working with his hands and could often be found in the garage restoring anything with wheels, fixing whatever needed fixing, or helping someone who needed it. But some of his happiest memories were made outdoors camping with his family. Over the years, many people have reached out to share stories of meeting Tracy around a campground somewhere because even there, he made friends.

More than anything, Tracy was proud of his family. He shared nearly 25 years of marriage with Brenda (Summers), now Brenda (Doug) Gum, the mother of his children. Later he married Linda (Yeats), and for the past 19 years they shared a life filled with companionship, laughter, and care. Those who knew them saw how devoted Tracy was to Linda and how much he loved her.

He was a deeply devoted father and an incredibly proud grandfather. His grandchildren were among the greatest joys of his life. He loved hearing about what they were doing, cheering them on, and proudly sharing their accomplishments with anyone who would listen.

Tracy's children, Shane, Eric, and Kodi, share a bond that reflects the example their father set. Growing up watching Tracy and his own brothers work side by side in the garage, playing cards, and remain lifelong best friends taught them an important lesson: family is everything. That belief shaped the closeness they share today and remains one of the greatest legacies he leaves behind.

He also shared many daily walks with his beloved dog Cricket, often stopping to visit with neighbors along the way. Those small moments, conversations, laughter, and connection were simply part of who he was.

Tracy was preceded in death by his mother, Thelma Ross; his stepfather, William Ross; his father, Frank Farnsworth; his stepmother, Shirley Farnsworth; his brother, Larry Farnsworth; his sister, Patricia Smart; his half-brothers, Lon Farnsworth and Troy Farnsworth; and his daughter Carol Farnsworth.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Farnsworth; his children Shane Farnsworth, Eric Farnsworth (wife Shannon), and Kodi Smith (husband Bryce). Shannon held a special place in Tracy's life and was loved not only as Eric's wife but as a daughter in his family.

He was a proud grandfather to seven grandchildren: Austin Farnsworth (wife Madyson), Allison Farnsworth, Lindee Arrasmith, Jase Arrasmith, Ella Smith, Aidan Farnsworth, and Grayson Farnsworth, each of whom brought him tremendous pride and joy.

He is also survived by his brothers Rick Farnsworth (Edy) and Dan Farnsworth (Camille); his half-brothers Tim Farnsworth, Rodney Farnsworth, and Thomas Farnsworth; his beloved aunt Barbara Pichon; and many extended family members, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and friends who will miss him dearly.

The love Tracy gave, the family he built, and the friendships he formed will continue to live on in the many lives he touched.

A celebration of Tracy's life will be held in Rossville, Illinois, at a later date. Details will be shared once arrangements are finalized.