Charles H. Housholder, M.D.'s Obituary
Charles Hobart Housholder left this world for his home on Thursday, September 25, 2015. He longed to walk the streets of gold based upon the Biblical Truth he embraced. Now he sees clearly what those who have gone before know! Charles was born in Century, FL on July 8, 1917 to William Daniel and Iona Hansard Housholder. He was the third of five surviving boys who grew up in Knoxville. Each of the siblings graduated from the University of Tennessee. His family received national recognition and a telephone call from Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1943 for having five sons serving as officers in three theaters during WWII. Iona eventually became Tennessee Mother of the Year in 1948. Charles finishes the race as the longest living Housholder within his known family tree. Charles completed his University training in 1936 and, subsequently, UT Medical School in Memphis in 1939 at the age of 22. His Residency at Memphis Baptist Memorial Hospital was interrupted by his conscription into the US Army in the Spring of 1941. He served at Fort Oglethorpe, GA until his deployment to Europe in February of 1944. He followed D-Day into France setting up triage centers for wounded and ill soldiers and was on the ground at the Buchenwald Concentration Camp shortly after the religious and political prisoners were freed. He was discharged in October 1945 from the 3rd Army, 35th Evacuation Hospital, after attaining the rank of Major and serving overseas for 20 months. Returning from overseas, he was introduced to Jean, his infant daughter of 17 months. Soon, the young family of three ventured north to Buffalo, NY, in 1946 so that Charles could complete his Residency and obtain specialty training in Pediatrics at Buffalo’s Children’s Hospital. After completion in 1947, they returned to Memphis for further training at John Gaston Hospital eventually accepting a Jr. Partnership with Drs. Joel Hobson and William Mims in a private pediatrics practice located across the street from Central HS in 1948. In 1959, Charles and Dr. Dick Miller opened a new practice in East Memphis at 368 So. Perkins Ext. where Charles practiced until his retirement in 2000 at the age of 83. Charles admitted the first patient to LeBonheur Children’s Hospital in 1952 and served six years as Head of Medicine. He served one term as President of the Memphis Pediatric Society as well. All told he practiced medicine for 60 years and 3 months leaving a deep legacy of carefully tended children and a gentle regard to those whom he touched. Charles met his one and only love, Louise Baker, at the drug store at the Baptist Hospital in June 1940. The wedding on November 10, 1941, preceded Pearl Harbor and the declaration of War by a few weeks. Perfectly symmetrical like hot and cold or night and day, they negotiated life as two disparate people devoted to each other. For instance, Chas had little interest in his appearance, so Lou gave great attentions to dress her man to kill. Yet, Chas, leaving before sunrise most mornings, would match the wrong ties with an uncoordinated sport coat and the wrong color shoes. Dad, of course, was clueless! He was a closet quipster, but Lou had him front and center when she needed a good prop for her stage antics. Moreover, Chas still had his first nickel while Lou had no idea whose face was on a dollar bill since George Washington had such a short stay in her billfold. He was country. She was city. Yet, there was never a man more devoted to a woman than Charley was to Lou! It was a marvel to watch. Charles was known for his loyal and faithful service to his family, his church, and his medical practice. He served as an elder at Second Presbyterian for 28 years and rarely missed his weekly commitment to the prayer group since its inception in 1967 until only two were left at their final meeting in October 2007. He was a man of quiet faith and obedience who stewarded well his gifts and opportunities. He loved sports of all kinds. UT was preeminent in his devotions with a nod to the St. Louis Baseball Cards. His casual attire generally consisted of orange ties and sweaters along with a collection of unusual UT hats. He had a penchant for nicknames so all the cousins knew each other as Jill, Rod, Frog, Jumper, High Pockets, Beans, Boog or the like. He really believed he could sing and truthfully could wake sleeping dogs by his George Beverly Shea impression of How Great Thou Art. He regaled us with stories and attempts to play his childhood trombone until Lou transformed his beloved instrument into a lamp! His calling card was his character – a man of faith, duty, devotion, loyalty, sacrifice, and truth. His presence and influence will be missed. Fortunately our family embraces the Hope moored in our faith that we will see him again. His beloved Lou preceded him and welcomes him into Eternity. Maybe Lou finally has Chas dancing in Heaven! He leaves behind three children: Jean Saxon of Memphis; Jon and Cathy Housholder of Memphis; and Joel and Cindy Housholder of Dallas along with nine grandchildren: Ashley Saxon Abraham (Michael); Megan Saxon Murphree (Martin); Malcolm Saxon (Adrienne); Bethany Housholder Miller (Jon); Ragan Housholder Oswalt (Chandler); Paige Housholder Baker (Drew); Katie Housholder Sheedy; Annie Housholder Houser (Chris); David Housholder and 22 great grandchildren. All adored his gentle wit and humble approach to life. We wish to thank The Village at Germantown for their prodigious care of Dad. You cannot pay for attitude. Their diligence and care were exceptional. The Memorial service will be held on Thursday, October 1, 11:00 AM at Second Presbyterian Church in the main sanctuary with a reception following. If you so choose to honor Chas. by giving a memorial, please consider: Second Presbyterian Church – World Missions; Church Health Center; or Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital.Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38119, “Celebrating Life… Behind the Stone Wall”
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