Jonas A. “Jack” Shulman, M.D. was born in Baltimore in 1936 and passed away at his home in Atlanta on January 6, 2026. Jack led a storied career training physicians in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, and guided students and transformed curricula at Emory Medical School. He had deep curiosity, a love of clinical medicine, and compassion for patients. Renowned for his bedside manner, Jack built relationships with patients through his empathetic listening and comforting presence in their hours of need. He was a master diagnostician who combined astute observation of clinical and psychosocial clues with broad knowledge, and possessed a remarkable ability to teach these skills to trainees, many of whom became his lifelong friends.
A gentle, loving father, Jack blew wind into the sails of his children Brett and Peter, and supported them on their own journeys. He was the devoted husband of Pamela Mae Terry, with whom he shared countless adventures to nearby beaches and foreign lands–and of course to many college lacrosse games. He was a generous friend whose willing ear heard the deepest woes; when needed, he summoned words that steadied the wobbly and breathed self-belief into the broken. Time spent with Jack was medicine. A man for all seasons, he reveled in celebrations both large and intimate; his charm and good humor were elixirs, evoking camaraderie even among those he had just met. He was the perfect gentleman, with the subtlest hints of mischievous bonhomie and an unmistakable twinkle in his eye. Never the loudest voice in a room, he was a gifted orator when summoned, and a glowing light around which people gathered for connection and laughter.
He was the ultimate easy mark for his dogs, who begged for and plundered his food. He loved reading, from Lawrence Durrell’s Alexandria Quartet to Road and Track magazine. Jack appreciated music, from Christopher Parkening’s Bach Cantatas to Elton John and Fleetwood Mac. He took an unusual delight in rewatching his favorite movies, preferably with a grandchild who hadn’t yet discovered the wonders of “Hospital” or “Scent of a Woman.” Saturdays were often spent cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs, and Sundays with the New York Times crossword puzzle.
In his very last days, he was visited by a flock of the most devoted friends imaginable, and he passed surrounded by the deepest of affection. He loved many, and was loved by many. As one of his favorite refrains from the Beatles sang, “And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.”
Dr. Shulman is survived by his wife, Pamela, his children Brett Samuels (David) and Peter (Leslie Williams); grandchildren Andrew Samuels (Jesseca), Becca Evans (Colin), and Stephen Samuels (Taylor), Dashiell Shulman, and Mahala Shulman; and most recently his first great-grandchild, Summer Jane Samuels; his first wife Wendy Eppinger; his deeply devoted nephew Dr. Adam Leaderman (Beth), Steven Leaderman, and Pam Leaderman Berman (Mark), all children of Jack’s deceased sister and north star, Shirley Leaderman; and the children of his deceased sister Betty Edlavitch (Sam): Cheryl Lee (Zvi Plotnik), Julius Edlavitch (deceased, survived by Betsy), Robert Edlavitch, Danny Edlavitch, and Judi Scher (Marc). Jack benefited greatly from the tender care of Evelyn Whitfield, Monteena Bowman-Josey, and Diane Cox, who were a balm in his last years and ever affectionate with him. Last but not least, he is survived by his dear dog Dickens.
A service will be held for Jack on Saturday, January 10, at 12:30, at Honey Creek Woodlands, 2625 Highway 212 SW, Conyers, GA 30094. We will start in the chapel, a covered structure without walls, and if so inclined, attendees can proceed to the forested site where Jack will be laid to rest (footwear should be worn to handle the terrain and weather). More information on the specifics of the cemetery can be found on their website.
Should you wish to send a gift, donations may be made to Jonas A. Shulman Endowment Fund, which supports the training of future leaders in the field of infectious diseases.
A gentle, loving father, Jack blew wind into the sails of his children Brett and Peter, and supported them on their own journeys. He was the devoted husband of Pamela Mae Terry, with whom he shared countless adventures to nearby beaches and foreign lands–and of course to many college lacrosse games. He was a generous friend whose willing ear heard the deepest woes; when needed, he summoned words that steadied the wobbly and breathed self-belief into the broken. Time spent with Jack was medicine. A man for all seasons, he reveled in celebrations both large and intimate; his charm and good humor were elixirs, evoking camaraderie even among those he had just met. He was the perfect gentleman, with the subtlest hints of mischievous bonhomie and an unmistakable twinkle in his eye. Never the loudest voice in a room, he was a gifted orator when summoned, and a glowing light around which people gathered for connection and laughter.
He was the ultimate easy mark for his dogs, who begged for and plundered his food. He loved reading, from Lawrence Durrell’s Alexandria Quartet to Road and Track magazine. Jack appreciated music, from Christopher Parkening’s Bach Cantatas to Elton John and Fleetwood Mac. He took an unusual delight in rewatching his favorite movies, preferably with a grandchild who hadn’t yet discovered the wonders of “Hospital” or “Scent of a Woman.” Saturdays were often spent cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs, and Sundays with the New York Times crossword puzzle.
In his very last days, he was visited by a flock of the most devoted friends imaginable, and he passed surrounded by the deepest of affection. He loved many, and was loved by many. As one of his favorite refrains from the Beatles sang, “And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.”
Dr. Shulman is survived by his wife, Pamela, his children Brett Samuels (David) and Peter (Leslie Williams); grandchildren Andrew Samuels (Jesseca), Becca Evans (Colin), and Stephen Samuels (Taylor), Dashiell Shulman, and Mahala Shulman; and most recently his first great-grandchild, Summer Jane Samuels; his first wife Wendy Eppinger; his deeply devoted nephew Dr. Adam Leaderman (Beth), Steven Leaderman, and Pam Leaderman Berman (Mark), all children of Jack’s deceased sister and north star, Shirley Leaderman; and the children of his deceased sister Betty Edlavitch (Sam): Cheryl Lee (Zvi Plotnik), Julius Edlavitch (deceased, survived by Betsy), Robert Edlavitch, Danny Edlavitch, and Judi Scher (Marc). Jack benefited greatly from the tender care of Evelyn Whitfield, Monteena Bowman-Josey, and Diane Cox, who were a balm in his last years and ever affectionate with him. Last but not least, he is survived by his dear dog Dickens.
A service will be held for Jack on Saturday, January 10, at 12:30, at Honey Creek Woodlands, 2625 Highway 212 SW, Conyers, GA 30094. We will start in the chapel, a covered structure without walls, and if so inclined, attendees can proceed to the forested site where Jack will be laid to rest (footwear should be worn to handle the terrain and weather). More information on the specifics of the cemetery can be found on their website.
Should you wish to send a gift, donations may be made to Jonas A. Shulman Endowment Fund, which supports the training of future leaders in the field of infectious diseases.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jonas A. Shulman, please visit our flower store.
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