Pled Duncan Callicott

It is with great sadness that we share that Pled Duncan Callicott, 88, of Franklin, Tennessee, died on December 26, 2024. He will be remembered for his appreciation of the beauty of the world around him and his efforts to tame it, his curiosity, and love for those who were fortunate enough to know him.

Duncan was born on January 11, 1936, in Nashville, Tennessee to Catherine Hardy Dorris Callicott and Claude Wilson Callicott. He grew up in Brentwood and Green Hills and attended the Downtown Presbyterian Church. He attended Robertson Academy and graduated from Montgomery Bell Academy in 1953. Following high school, he began his studies at Vanderbilt University before transferring to the University of Georgia, where he earned a degree in Landscape Architecture in 1960. He met his wife, Virginia Jones, in Athens and they were married in Sewanee, Tennessee in December 1962.

Duncan was a distinguished professional in the field of landscape architecture. After graduation, he served as the Campus Landscape Architect for the University of Georgia. Duncan returned to Nashville to work for the State of Tennessee Department of Conservation. In 1969, he joined Cheekwood Botanical Gardens and Fine Arts Center where he became executive director in 1979, leaving an indelible mark on the institution. In 1983, Duncan transitioned to private practice, continuing to influence the field of landscape design with his passion, creativity and expertise.

Duncan’s commitment to sharing his passion for horticulture was evident in his teaching role at O’More College of Design and his guest lectures at various universities, garden symposiums, and garden clubs. His personal garden, a testament to his artistry, was featured in Southern Living magazine in 1981 and Garden Design magazine in 1982. It was also part of the Garden Conservancy Open Days in 2003, inspiring countless visitors with its beauty and design.

While Duncan’s legacy may be the beautiful spaces he designed for others, his greatest joy was entertaining old friends and cultivating new ones in the home garden he lovingly designed and redesigned over 55 years. He was an avid reader with a keen sense of wonder. Over the years, he enjoyed returning to his favorite place outside of Middle Tennessee, Center Sandwich, New Hampshire. In his daughters, he nurtured a love of nature, history and art and a strong sense of place.

Duncan was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Clint Callicott. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Virginia Kathleen Jones Callicott; his daughters, Elizabeth Callicott (Dean Bose) and Emily Boylan (Tom); grandchildren Vivienne Bose, Ayden Boylan, and Hannah Boylan; sister Dorris Douglas and sisters-in-law Carolyn Callicott and Bettie Corey; nieces and nephews George Douglas, Claudia Locke, Rebecca Johnson, Clayton Callicott, Claude Callicott, Jen Seger as well as a host of extended family and close friends who mourn his passing and celebrate his remarkable and interesting life.

A service marking Duncan’s life will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 510 West Main Street, Franklin, Tennessee on January 18 at 1:00 with visitation 2:00-3:30. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Duncan’s honor to The Downtown Presbyterian Church (154 Rep. John Lewis Way N., Nashville, TN 37219).

The family would like to express their gratitude to all who have supported them during this time of loss. As spring blooms again, a celebration of Duncan’s life will be held in late April in the garden he and his wife created and nurtured.