Dr James Bethea III

BETHEA III, Dr. James

Stephen

November 9, 1938 – August 12, 2025

Dr. James Stephen Bethea III, was born in Boston, MA, during the time his father, James Stephen Bethea II, was a career U. S. Naval Officer studying for an advanced degree at M. I. T. and his mother, Dorothy Thomas Bethea, was a nursery school teacher.

As the oldest of four boys, his early years were somewhat nomadic following his father's career from New England to Philadelphia to Washington, DC to California during WWII, and back again. With those moves, he gained a keen interest in people, their stories and backgrounds. The first of his brothers to graduate from (Northfield) Mt. Hermon in MA, he loved recalling his boarding school days. He then attended Cornell University where he rowed on the crew team, winning/losing jerseys as they competed throughout his college years. The 2023 release of "The Boys in the Boat", as well as historical footage about renowned boatbuilder, George Pocock, allowed our entire family a glimpse into his younger years. Those Pocock wooden shells so beautifully crafted were highly sought after during this era in nearly every collegiate rowing program.

He obtained a B.A. in Physics at Cornell, before earning his M.D. degree at UVA, then his orthopedic residency at The New York Hospital/Hospital for Special Surgery Cornell. He completed his selective service obligation as Chief of Orthopedics, USPHS Hospitals in New Orleans, and then Baltimore.

In the early 1970s, he came to Atlanta, where he taught at Emory University for a few years before setting up his own orthopedic practice, Southern Orthopedic Clinic, at Emory St. Joseph's Hospital, until his retirement in the early 2000s.

He lived each day of retirement with intention: cheering on his three grown children and seven grandchildren in all their endeavors, staying in touch with lifelong friends, traveling the world on the QEII and with ARGO, celebrating holidays and birthdays with the Fab Four and milestone anniversaries at The Greenbrier, compiling special pictures into custom-made photo collage books, gathering family at the Capital City Club, joining the Lenbrook Singers, and striking up conversations with servers and strangers wherever he was. Even as he valiantly faced surgical procedures and hospitalizations during his final years, he was eager to know the doctors and nurses caring for him – where they grew up, where they studied, how they chose their specialty, etc.

His lifelong community involvement included the Buckhead Rotary Club (42 years of perfect attendance) as well as volunteer service with The Arthritis Foundation, The Tommy Nobis Center, Boy Scouts of America, and the Administrative Board at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church. He also eagerly enjoyed and readily shared his love for boating, fishing, listening to Audible books and lifelong learning.

In his own words, "the best, the luckiest, decision of my long life was marrying my wife, Margaret Beasley Davidson, from Bluefield, WV. She was indeed my helpmate, my alter-ego, my better self - always there with a warm smile and understanding affection for family and tolerating my foibles." He and Margaret anticipated and enjoyed Sunday family dinners with the Fowlers, fall family time annually at The Burge Club, and regular lunches with son, Jim IV.

His favorite people and deepest joy came from time spent with his growing family, supporting each one and traveling with them, particularly to their Sunset Beach condo on Captiva Island. One of his final projects which his engineering mind so enjoyed was co-laboring with son-in-law, John Fowler, on the decisions and renovations of that storm-damaged condo this past year. His affection for sunsets never faded, filling his iPhone with breathtaking sunsets from their 22nd floor balcony when no longer able to travel to Captiva.

He'll be fondly remembered for his love of Brooks Brothers & Beau Ties™, funny t-shirts, retelling jokes/stories, ugly Christmas sweaters (gifting a unique one to every grandchild a few years ago), all things Apple™, Hallmark movies, really good ice cream, the Find My app (devotedly following grandkids on their adventures/travels), gifting roses to Mom regularly, and confidentially blessing others in financial need.

Upon retirement, he and Margaret were fortunate to spend ten consecutive summers at Chautauqua Institution in their jointly-owned 1890s cottage with a med school classmate couple, Norma Jean and Tony Bueschen. The 9-week summer program of meaningful lectures, golf, sailing, nightly symphonies and hosting grandchildren stirred him to celebrate "the greatness of ordinary people," the simple but profound theme of his Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle Class. He often mentioned that growing older was easier and healthier with "social capital" which ultimately led to his move with Margaret to Lenbrook in their early 70s.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Margaret. He is also survived by three brothers: Tom (Bonnie) of Tucson, AZ, David (Kim) of Madison, WI, and Rick (Gail) of The Villages, FL. He is survived by their two daughters, Margaret Patton Bethea Fowler (John) of Atlanta, GA, and Dorothy Camden Bethea of Franklin, TN; as well as their son, James Stephen Bethea IV of Atlanta, GA. Additionally, he is survived by seven grandchildren: Katie Bethea, John Thomas Fowler, Jim Bethea V, Maggie Fowler, Tom Bethea, Mary Margaret Bethea and Robert Fowler.

The family would especially like to thank the staff and providers at Emory St. Joseph's Hospital for their care in recent years as well as Live Oak Caregivers and Longleaf Hospice.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, at 2 PM, on Tuesday, September 30, with a reception to follow in Grace Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the following:

· Emory St. Joseph's Hospital – Mercy Foundation

· Peachtree Road United Methodist Church

· Rotary International

· A charity of your choice