Timothy "Tim" Michael Denison

Timothy "Tim" Michael Denison, 64, passed away on Sunday, July 12, 2026.

Tim Denison liked to tell people he was born on “Christmas ‘61.” Such was his energy: funny, playful, and lighthearted. And such will be his legacy: that he was born on Christmas and was a joyful holiday unto himself, worth celebrating over and over again.

Born in Bexar County, Texas, and living in Georgetown, Indiana, wherever Tim went, he collected friends. Those lucky enough to know Tim knew him as a many-layered man as well as a beautiful and gentle soul. He loved taking his time, eating good food, playing and appreciating the full spectrum of music, from Frank Zappa to yodeling. Tim was a wildly talented musician and highly sought-after luthier whose great gift for making and repairing things (furniture, guitars, banjos) can’t be overexaggerated. His greatest gift, though, was how well and deeply he loved his daughter, Amber, and grandson Maddox–about whom he took every opportunity to shamelessly brag. And his sister, Rhonda, who he raised as his own. Tim embodied that love and knew it for the honor it was. For those he cared for most, it was an honor, in turn, to love him back.

Tim was deeply spiritual, a devoted Christian for the best kinds of reasons. He was pure in heart, loved God’s people, humbled himself, lived joyously. He knew the Bible well but also approached it like an object of study, as Tim loved so much to learn about the world around him. A plant, a comic book, Lord of the Rings, a Bible verse: nothing escaped his attention or interest. When asked once about his approach to and love of learning, he said, “All I really did was listen.”

On Sunday, July 12, 2026, Tim Denison left the world, taking much of its music and light with him, leaving not a single enemy in his wake–only friends and family who will miss him terribly. Staying behind to cherish his memory and build on his legacy are: his sister, Rhonda Grant; his nephew, Cameron Grant; his beloved daughter, Amber Zelivetz; and his grandson Maddox Zelivetz, whom he loved like a son. This is not to mention all who met, knew, and loved Tim all along the beautiful path he walked while here on Earth.

While Tim was not ready to be done living–and heaven knows there was so much more of him to know–for him, this life was not all there was. Surely he lives on somewhere in the ether, at rest in the goodness he left in his wake.

Visitation will be from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Sunday, July 19, 2026 at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions (3309 Ballard Lane, New Albany).

Please consider sharing a memory of Tim or leaving a special message for his family by completing the online Guestbook below.