Dr Martin Coyle Shea's Obituary
Dr. Martin Coyle Shea Jr. entered Heaven Friday, October 28, 2022. He was born December 24, 1929, at Baptist Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, to Martin Coyle Shea Sr. and Marie Fredette Shea. Those who knew Coyle well thought of him as a humble, kind, fun-loving person who valued his relationships with family, friends, patients, and colleagues, and most of all, his Savior Jesus Christ.
He graduated from Christian Brothers High School in 1947 and enjoyed sharing that his great-grandparents were instrumental in bringing the Brothers to Memphis, and his grandfather, father, sons, and grandsons were graduates. After CBHS, he attended Springhill College before joining a military program that combined undergraduate and medical studies, culminating in his graduation from the University of Tennessee Medical School in 1952 as a member of the medical honorary society Alpha Omega Alpha. He completed an internship at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Oakland, California; postgraduate studies at the U.S. Naval School of Aviation Medicine in Pensacola, Florida; and residencies in General Surgery and Otolaryngology at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. During this time, he was also stationed at the Naval Base in Sasebo, Japan, as a Medical Officer and in Cherry Point, North Carolina, as a Naval Flight Surgeon in the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. He ended active duty in 1962 as a Lieutenant Commander but continued in the reserves until 1968.
Dr. Shea returned to Memphis and joined the Memphis Otologic Clinic in 1962 before starting his own practice, Shea Otologic Group, in 1967. He served in private practice for 51 years, pioneering treatments and surgeries for chronic ear disease and lecturing extensively on every aspect of otology. His accomplishments, awards, and publications are too numerous to list but demonstrate his commitment to medicine and the care of his fellow humans. He was past president of both the Memphis and Shelby County Society of Otolaryngology and the Tennessee Academy of Otolaryngology. Other recognitions of note are: 1992 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation's Distinguished Award for Humanitarian Efforts, 2001 Board of Governors Practitioner Excellence Award from the American Academy of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, and 2011 Tennessee Medical Association Outstanding Physician Award. After merging his practice to become Mid-South Ear, Nose & Throat, he retired in 2013 but immediately began work with Dr. Scott Morris to establish an ENT clinic at the Church Health Center, serving there until 2016.
While he was a world-renowned surgeon and highly decorated physician in his field, most of his patients simply knew him as a compassionate and exceptional doctor. With such a varied military career, his diagnostic skills were unparalleled, and he would often consult on cases with only a discussion, only to have his prognosis confirmed.
In 1980, Coyle realized a way to meld his love for the Lord with his medical expertise and joined a medical mission trip to Pucallpa, Peru, for the first time. He continued leading annual trips to Peru for 35 years and also made a trip to Nigeria. In Peru, Coyle and his team performed thousands of ear, nose, and throat operations and trained the local doctors and nurses in medical techniques previously unavailable. He also provided equipment and supplies to the local medical community. By his example, Coyle inspired other medical and dental teams from Tennessee, Oklahoma, Florida, Alabama, New Jersey, and elsewhere to serve the underprivileged in Peru and the surrounding jungle. Additionally, doctors from Lima, Bolivia, Brazil, and Argentina traveled to Pucallpa for Coyle to train and mentor. In recognition of his contributions, United Servants Abroad opened and dedicated the “Shea House” in 2006, a housing facility in Pucallpa to house the numerous mission teams traveling to serve the area, and in 2019, The Liquid Legacy Project honored him at a Celebrating Legends banquet held in Memphis.
Coyle was a masterful storyteller and enthralled all when he recounted his many adventures, some involving his flying, motorcycle riding, scuba diving, snow skiing, and travels, particularly to his ancestral home of Ireland. He always had a smile and warm welcome and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He was dedicated to health and nutrition, including his morning workout, which he started with a long prayer. Known in his family for sermon-length blessings before meals, Coyle was a long-time member at First Evangelical Church and studied Scripture extensively. He would want us to remember him primarily for his love for the Lord Jesus Christ and his Word.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Mimi Shea Loeb; and daughter Melinda Shea. He leaves his beloved wife of nearly 50 years, Trina; his children, Martin Coyle “Marc” Shea III, Madeline Thurmond (Glenn), Alison Barger (Keith), Rachel Gabrielleschi (Gabe), Jeffrey Shea (Marcia), Erin Spessard (Bo), and Neil Shea; grandchildren John Martin Barger, Becky Thurmond, Shea Gabrielleschi (Tennison), Aidan Shea (Casey Goodwin), William Barger, Claire Shea, Michael Shea, Woods Spessard, Julia Spessard, Mary Coyle Spessard, Lydia Spessard, and Wilder Shea; plus numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Coyle’s wonderful caregivers, Barbara, Gloria, Veronica, and Teresa.
Visitation will be Friday, November 4, from 9:30 to 11:00, at First Evangelical Church with the memorial service to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Truth Seekers Fellowship (https://tsfmemphis.org) and The Liquid Legacy Project (https://theliquidlegacy.org).
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