Allen Nathaniel Jelks M.D. Sr.

1930 - 2021

Allen Nathaniel Jelks, Sr., MD

Dr. Allen N. Jelks, Sr. passed peacefully in the early morning of 26 May 2021 with his son by his side. Allen was born in Macon, GA to Howard Coates Jelks, Sr. and Beulah Louise Smith Jelks on 2 August 1930. Although the family lived in Fort Lauderdale since 1925 (population 8,600), Beulah wanted her second son delivered by the family physician in Georgia after being forced to flee a hurricane during her previous pregnancy. After graduating Ft. Lauderdale High School as Valedictorian, Allen attended Emory University for pre-medicine, and in 1955 received his Medical Degree as Valedictorian from Duke University. His studies were interrupted when he joined the U.S. Navy as a pediatrician at the U.S. Naval Submarine Base in New London, CT just after the Korean War. He met his wife, Mary Irene Larson, while they were both medical interns at Johns Hopkins University. Allen was always a huge railroad fan, and proposed to Mary in 1951 while on a train trip to visit her family in Illinois. After completing their pediatric residency in 1959, the newly married doctors relocated to Gainesville, FL for their residency at Shands Teaching Hospital, University of Florida. Allen was selected as Chief Resident in Pediatrics. By this time, Allen and Mary had three children: Helen, Allen, Jr., and Howard. After their residency, Allen and Mary started their own pediatric practice with Edward Rushton in Sarasota, FL. They were affectionately known as "Dr. Allen" and "Dr. Mary" and served hundreds of children, treating all patients the same, whether they had money to pay for their services or not. Sometimes a gallon of shucked oysters settled the bill. They helped migrant farm families and children of U.S. senators. Throughout their practice they were staff at Sarasota Memorial Hospital and in the Sarasota County Medical Association. While in Sarasota, a fourth child, Alice, was born. Allen and his family took many vacations, primarily throughout the United States, Europe, and Central and South America—frequently by train. They also enjoyed excursions closer to home, mainly fishing on the Myakka River and visiting Myakka River State Park (Mary was an enthusiastic volunteer at the Park for decades). Their love for the Myakka River led them to donate $1 million to Sarasota County toward the purchase of the 614-acre Jelks Preserve. Allen and Mary retired after serving the community's children for 25 years, whereupon Allen spent much of his time enjoying the vast array of cultural events Sarasota has to offer. Allen was an accomplished clarinet and tenor saxophone player. He attended every high school band reunion into his 80s. He was a long-term member of the Rotary Club of Sarasota Bay, receiving the Distinguished Service Award. He was a member of First United Methodist Church Sarasota and Suncoast Chapter of the National Historic Railway Society. In 1994, the family formed the Jelks Family Foundation. The Foundation has contributed to many local projects, including Sarasota Audubon's Celery Fields, Mote Marine Laboratory, Lemon Bay Conservancy's Wildflower Preserve, Sarasota Orchestra, Asolo Theatre, Ringling Museum, Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, Selby Gardens, and many others. In 2003, Allen and Mary were awarded the Community Service Award; the Environmentalists of the Year Award by Sarasota County; and named the Environmental Heroes of the Year by the Growth-Restraint and Environmental Organization. Allen and Mary were inducted into the Sarasota Community Video Archives in 2004. After breaking his leg in 2017, Allen and Mary moved to Superior Residences in Panama City Beach, FL where his son Allen, Jr. and wife Debbie lived. Sadly, Mary passed in 2018 two months before her 89th birthday.

Allen is preceded in death by Mary, his wife of 60 years, and his brother, Howard. He is survived by his four children: Helen King (Chris) and Alice Lezcano (Edgar) of Sarasota, Allen Jelks, Jr. (Debbie) of Hendersonville, NC, and Howard Jelks (Lisa) of Gainesville, FL; and three grandsons, Benjamin King (and partner Nicole), Bryan King (Jennie), and Daniel Lezcano (and partner Victoria). At Allen's request there will be no services. If you would like to honor Dr. Jelks' life, please donate to a charity of your choice.