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John Packard M.D.

1920 - 2013

John Packard M.D. obituary, 1920-2013, Birmingham, AL

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Ridout's Valley Chapel

1800 Oxmoor Road

Homewood, Alabama

John Packard Obituary

JOHN M. PACKARD

John Mallory Packard, MD died in Homewood AL, on July 12. He was born in Saranac Lake NY on Sept. 25, 1920 to Edward Newman Packard, Jr., MD and Mary Bissell Betts Packard. He graduated from the Taft School and was an exchange scholar at St. Columba's College in Dublin. After graduating from Yale University and Harvard Medical School, he interned at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital and was a medical resident at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital.

A veteran of WWII and the Korean conflict, Dr. Packard completed military service as a Flight Surgeon in the US Navy in 1954. He was in the private practice of internal medicine and cardiology in Pensacola from 1954 to 1968, then moved to Birmingham as Director of the Alabama Regional Medical Program, Professor of Medicine, and Associate Dean of the Alabama School of Medicine. In 1973-76 he helped found the College of Community Health Services at the University of Alabama, serving as Associate Dean and Professor and Chairman of Medicine. In 1976 he accepted the position of Director of Medical Education at the Birmingham Baptist Medical Centers, retiring in 1992. After retirement he worked with the American Council for Continuing Medical Education.

Dr. Packard was a member of numerous medical organizations and served as president of the Alabama Heart Association, the Alabama Society of Internists, the Birmingham Academy of Medicine, and the Central Alabama Coalition for the Employed but Medically Uninsured. He was a member of the Alabama and Birmingham Genealogical Societies, the New England Historic Genealogical Society, and the Sons of the American Revolution. Throughout his life he was an active member of the Episcopal Church.

Dr. Packard was predeceased by his wife of 67 years, Ann Schoonover Packard, and his son Charles. He is survived by four sons: Dr. Michael (Cath) of Fairfax VA; Dr. Shaun (Bitsy) of Guntersville AL; Krid Asvanon-Packard (Ann) of Bangkok Thailand; and Frank (Molly) of Birmingham AL; and by three daughters: Dr. Maurine (Jim Hudspeth) Packard of New York NY; Mary Betts Packard and Charlotte (Shawn) Manning, both of Birmingham AL. He is survived by nine grandchildren, three great-granddaughters and one great-grandson.

Visitation will be at Johns Ridout Valley Chapel in Homewood at 5:00-7:00 PM on Monday, July 15. A memorial service will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, Vestavia Hills, at 4:00 PM on Tuesday, July 16. His ashes will be committed to the columbarium at Ascension. Memorials may be made to the Church of the Ascension, Episcopal Place, or a favorite charity.



Express your condolences in our guestbook at pnj.com/obits

Published by the Pensacola News Journal on Jul. 16, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
for John Packard

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I worked with Dr. Packard for 5 years at UAB. He was my friend, mentor, and inspiration. He touched so many in positive ways. A Great American.

Moultrie D. Plowden

July 21, 2013

to Mike, Maurine, Saun, Mary Betts, Frank, Charlotte - words fail me - we go back a LONG way - your mom and dad were very special people - I miss them, both (Charlie, too) - my thoughts and prayers are with you all - love, Nancy

Nancy Hodgkins

July 19, 2013

I appreciate so much that Dr. and Mrs. Packard were such good neighbors to my parents who moved to Brookdale shortly after they did. He was especially helpful to my mom who was the primary caregiver for my dad. I will miss his friendly greeting from his scooter in the hallway when I visit my mom. You have my deepest sympathy. Sincerely,
Karen Kelly

July 17, 2013

We are very sad to learn the passing of our dear Dr. John. We met Dr. John while he was in Tuscaloosa working with UA School of Medicine. He and Mrs. Ann treating us like their own children. Dr. John gave my husband Joven an opportunity of a lifetime; to complete his residency in Internal Medicine at the Baptist System in Birmingham (Montclair and Princeton) from 1976 to 1979. Without that opportunity, we will be back home in the Philippines. We sent christmas cards to each other and kept up with our progress including the progress of our children. Joven and I are so sad that we just heard of his passing. Our prayers to all of you and we will pray for his peace. We love him so much. God bless all of you.
Joven and Amelia de los Reyes

July 17, 2013

My prayers are with you Saun. I have such fond memories from our days at PHS. God be with you.

MIke Leatherwood

July 17, 2013

A gentleman, a scholar, an outstanding physician. He was present at the creation in Tuscaloosa and brought maturity and wisdom to the program. He was a dear friend and colleague.

Douglas Scutchfield

July 16, 2013

I have known Dr. Packard just a short while at our home, Brookdale Place. He became my friend right away, and I enjoyed him so much. He did many things to make me feel welcome. As someone said, "He was a prince of a man."

Karen Brookshaw

July 16, 2013

Charlotte, I am so sorry for your loss. I remember your father so fondly, along with the rest of your family, and my condolences go out to you all. I have thought of you many times through the years, and the happy times at the Packard's house! Peace be with you all.

Ann Smitherman Brenizer

July 15, 2013

Molly and Frank, I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my heart and my prayers. I never got the privilege of meeting Dr. Packard, but so enjoyed all of the stories of him. He truly was a well loved man by his family and friends.
God Bless you.

Bonnie Smothers

July 15, 2013

Wonderful gentleman, educator, and physician....I am a better physician after knowing him.

Christopher Old

July 15, 2013

Dr. Packard was, to me and to many, the father we would have wished for if we hadn't had dads of our own. He was brilliant, kind, funny, an amazing husband, father and grandfather. He will be missed by all who know him, and I hope there are bourbon balls in heaven, and that the Lord loves his jokes as much as we did. I suspect He will. Christmas will never be the same.

Rhonda Lockhart Rasberry

July 15, 2013

A great man! Bob Kreisberg

July 15, 2013

John was one of the first residents to really make me feel welcome at Brookdale. We both were on oxygen support and he advised me wisely on any problems I encountered. John never met a stranger and was so outgoing and friendly to all he came in contact with. Brookdale has lost one of its most prominent people I have had the priviledge to know. We here at Brookdale will miss his smile and compassion for life and everyone he met. God speed, thy good and faithful servant.

Liz Blount

July 15, 2013

Dr. Packard was a individual that contributed so much to those that were around him and to the organizations that he was associated. He will be greatly missed.

Ron Koonce

July 14, 2013

My condolences.He was a uniquely respectable gentleman and physician.We have only positive memories,as he was a considerate,kind,concerned,pleasant and polite person at all times

Allan Wilensky

July 14, 2013

Dr. John Packard was one of the most outstanding people I have ever known. When I joined SAR many years ago he made me most welcome and we developed a friendship related to my time in upstate New York and New Haven during my younger years. He was always supportive of the programs of the Sons of the American Revolution both financially and with his time. Seldom does an individual like Dr. Packard come along and I am a better man for having known him and the example he set for others in all of his endeavors.

Bob Thomas

July 14, 2013

John Packard was a gentleman and a scholar loved by all who knew him. He will be remembered fondly by those of us who worked with him at the Baptist Health System.

Dr. Robert and Jane Wilkerson

July 14, 2013

Shaun , I enjoyed knowing your Dad both at UAB and working in the Heart Association. I hope you enjoy retirement as much as I have.

Jimmie Finney

July 14, 2013

John was one of the rare and really special people in this world. He was amazing and wonderful, and he will be terribly missed by many. The sadness over his loss is shared, and we wish you the comfort of many happy memories and much pride in knowing that John was an example of what we all could be if we always did our best. He will be missed.
Claire Elliott and her daughter Patricia Simon

Claire Elliott

July 13, 2013

Kristina Corbin

July 13, 2013

Farewell to a wonderful mentor. Rest in peace John.

July 13, 2013

Frank and Molly, my prayers are with you and your family. Frank, your father was a very engaging man. I met him only once, but that one time was memorable. We had a very nice long conversation. He was definitely proud of you!

Becky Blankenship

July 12, 2013

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