Dr. Clarence Moody Hyshaw

October 17, 1946 - January 15, 2015 Clarence Moody Hyshaw MD, father, brother, uncle, cousin, friend and Neurosurgeon passed away on Thursday, January 15, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. On October 17, 1946, the sun rose on the new life of Clarence Moody Hyshaw in the small town of Bessemer, Alabama. He was born from the union of Hattie Mae and Joshua Hyshaw. Clarence Moody Hyshaw attended Dunbar Elementary School, and graduated from Brighton High School as class valedictorian in 1964. He was a star quarterback on the football team and ran on the track team. Brother Hyshaw earned an athletic scholarship in football to Morris Brown College where he majored in pre-med studies. While matriculating through Morris Brown, Clarence excelled in football, was an active member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, and was elected Vice President of the Student Body and later President of the Student Body. Upon completion of his undergraduate studies in pre-med, Clarence Hyshaw was accepted to the University of California-Berkeley's School of Optometry in 1968. However, Dr. Hyshaw had a different calling. While at Berkeley, he was recruited by the University of California-San Francisco's Medical School. He began the pursuit of his medical degree in 1969. Dr. Hyshaw was part of the largest contingent of minority students in the history of UC-San Francisco. This powerful, history setting group consisted of African-American, Latino, Native American, Asian, Pacific Islander, and female students. From the onset, Dr. Hyshaw had his heart set on pursuing a career in Neurosurgery. He meticulously developed his surgical skills and immersed himself completely in the study of Neuroanatomy. Despite an extremely busy academic curriculum, Dr. Clarence Moody Hyshaw played an active role in the Student National Medical Association and the Black, Brown, Red Student Union Organization and was a regular on the intramural football field. Those were some interesting quarterback battles between Dr. Clarence Hyshaw and future Urologist, Dr. Ralph Melton! Dr. Hyshaw completed his medical studies in June of 1973. He was selected by the entire class to deliver the commencement address at the graduation exercise. Following medical school, Dr. Hyshaw completed two years as a surgical resident at the University of California-San Francisco and U.C.L.A. Medical Center in Westwood, California. He began his Neurosurgical Residency in 1975 at U.C.L.A. Dr. Hyshaw completed his life's dream of becoming a Neurosurgeon in 1980. During his training he was Chief Resident of Neurosurgery at U.C.L.A. Medical Center. Dr. Hyshaw later achieved his Board Certification with the American Board of Neurosurgery. Following completion of his neurosurgical residency, Dr. Hyshaw began his practice in the cities of Inglewood and Lynwood, California. He became busy on the medical staffs of St. Francis Medical Center and Centinela Hospital. He served as Chief of Surgery, Chief of Neurosurgical Trauma and Medical Staff Director at St. Francis Medical Center. Dr. Clarence Hyshaw was a brilliant and successful Neurosurgeon who made a significant difference in so many lives. His gentle, jovial, and yet commanding demeanor in the Operating Room made him a pleasure to work with. He will be sadly missed as a true O.R. surgeon and innovator. Dr. Clarence Hyshaw is survived by his daughter, Jocelyn; sister, Vanessa; brother, Howard; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of close friends and working associates. There will be a public viewing on Thursday January 29th, 4:00 pm-8:00 pm at All Souls Mortuary, 4400 Cherry Ave. Long Beach, California 90807. A private service is scheduled for January 31st. A Memorial service is scheduled to be held at St. Francis Medical Center at a later date.