Dr. James T. Galyon's Obituary
Dr. James Theodore “Ted” Galyon of Memphis went to be with his Lord and Savior Thursday, April 28th at St. Francis Hospital at the age of 93. Ted was born to Aubrey E. Galyon and Gladys Perry Galyon in Knoxville, TN on April 13, 1930. He grew up in Knoxville TN and was a graduate of Knox Central in 1948. He went on to attend the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and postgraduate at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis in 1953 where he met his wife of 50 years Virginia Diehl. In 1953, he began his residency in Columbia, South Carolina, and married Virginia in 1954. Virginia was one of two female Physicians in the class of 1953.
Ted completed his residency in Columbia, SC, and then worked in Harlan KY where he took care of the underserved coal mining families in general medicine which included delivering babies. He attended basic training at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio Texas before he and his wife began serving his assignment for the U.S. Army based in Stuttgart, Germany. Captain Galyon and Virginia had their first daughter, Peggy Galyon Noblett in Germany before returning home to Memphis. Following his military service Ted continued his residency in Pediatric Orthopedics at Arkansas Children’s Hospital where a second daughter, Nancy Galyon Williams was born. After leaving Little Rock, Ted, and Virginia returned to Memphis to settle with the family and began his practice of orthopedics while Virginia a pediatrician worked for the Shelby County Health Department in North Memphis. A third daughter, Mary Galyon Convey was born in Memphis.
Ted was committed to his Christian faith and served his family and patients throughout his entire professional career in Memphis with the majority of his time as a founding partner of East Memphis Orthopedic Group established in 1969. He loved the practice of orthopedics because he believed that it was an area where you could make a difference in someone’s life. Ted was instrumental in the groundbreaking of St. Francis Hospital in 1975 and went on to serve as Chief of Staff, Chairman of the Board, and many hospital committees one of which was recently as Chairman of the Ethics committee during his service at St. Francis. He was an instrumental and organizing member of the State Volunteer Mutual Insurance Company which created insurance protection for Physicians in Tennessee. He was the president of the Tennessee Medical Association in 1989. He was a longtime member of Second Presbyterian Church and Elder Emeritus where he served as chairman of the Missions Committee for many years making friends across all nations who chose to serve for Christ.
Ted was an avid outdoorsman who spent his free time at his sanctuary away from the responsibilities of work at The Farm in Waterford MS. There he enjoyed; mowing the grass with the tractor, fishing, raising cattle and many other chores until finally sitting on the porch with his “friends” Jack n Ginger to enjoy the view of the lake. In the winter months, Ted chose cold early mornings to duck hunt in Arkansas with his friends, daughters, and sons-in-law. Ted and Virginia enjoyed attending Big Orange football games for many years with many of their closest friends. Ted will be missed by his three daughters, sons-in-law, and his seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren who loved “Teddy.” Ted was preceded in death by his wife Virginia Diehl Galyon, his parents Aubrey & Gladys Galyon, brother Aubrey Ervin Galyon Jr (Linda Galyon), and grandson Ross Williams. He is survived by his children Peggy & Phil Noblett of Signal Mountain, TN, Nancy & Richard Williams of Germantown, Mary & John Convey of Tierra Verde, FL, nephew Alex Galyon of Ames Iowa, grandchildren Andrew & Emily Noblett, Caroline Williams Zurhellen & Cody, Amanda & Chris Noga, Jeff & Taylor Williams, John & Kayla Williams, James Noblett and great-grandchildren Porter, Avery, Joel, and Gabe, with two new coming this year!
A celebration of life will be held Thursday, May 4th at Second Presbyterian Church at 12pm with visitation before at 10:30 am.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to of the following: Second Presbyterian Church World Missions Fund or the Drs. Ted and Virginia Galyon Endowed Fellowship in Pediatrics at the University of Tennessee Memphis College of Medicine c/o Bethany Goolsby
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