DR. JOHN WESLEY ATWOOD

Dr. John Wesley Atwood died peacefully at Allen Morgan Health Center on August 2, 2015. He was born on June 19, 1930, the son of Franklin and Myrtle Atwood of Nashville, Tennessee. He leaves his wife, Sue Atwood, his daughter, Leslie Susanne Atwood (Leslie Smith MD) and son, John Wesley Atwood Jr (Christine Rotter Atwood), and five grandchildren: Elizabeth Smith, Ben Smith, John Wesley Atwood III, Andrew Atwood, and Claire Atwood. His boyhood was spent mostly on the golf course, caddying after school. He rapidly became an expert golfer and earned the title of “Schoolboy Champion of Tennessee” at the age of sixteen. He holds the unbroken course record at Shelby Park, won at the age of fifteen. Following his Air Force service, he enrolled in pre-med studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. There he met Sue Culbertson, and the two continued on to get their Doctor of Medicine degrees in Memphis, at the UT College of Medicine. They married soon after graduation. In 1959 the started practicing Family Medicine in Springfield, Tennessee with a satellite office in Greenbrier, Tennessee. Following a ten year stint in General Practice, Wes completed a Residency in Radiology at the University of Florida, Gainesville, where he was chief resident. He and his family then returned to Memphis, where he practiced Radiology at Baptist Hospitals for 25 years. Upon retirement he continued to cultivate his love of golf, gardening, music and family. Wes became a mentor of the English Chamber Orchestra and sailed extensively with the group to performances in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. He also traveled with the American Horticultural Society to private gardens around the world. He and his wife had wonderful gardens, loved tennis, and enjoyed family trips to ski and golf. His civic service was extensive, including serving as President of the Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club in Springfield, Tennessee. He and his wife have been long time members at Church of the Holy Communion, Episcopal. He will be remembered for his unfailing optimism, humor, integrity, and remarkable generosity given tirelessly to both his patients, family and community. A memorial service and reception will be held in the St. Edward’s Chapel at Trezevant Manor Friday August 7, 2015 at 3:30 p.m. The family plans a private burial service earlier that day, at Memorial Park in Memphis,Tennessee. The family requests that memorials be sent to Church Health Center of Memphis Tennessee, or a charity of choice.