Donelson was a top aide to Gov. Lamar Alexander, including serving as commissioner of finance and administration from 1979 to 1981.

Donelson was a charter member of the Memphis City Council and contributed to the resurgence of the Republican Party in Tennessee over the course of more than half a century.

In 1994, Donelson merged his law firm with that of former Sen. Howard Baker to create the new firm, which now counts more than 750 attorneys and policy advisors in 23 offices.

Donelson was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Jan. He is survived by his children Lewis IV, Janice and Loring, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.