Dr. John William Wilks

Dr. John William Wilks
October 10, 1933
January 18, 2012
Dr. John William Wilks, prominent Roanoke, Virginia retired Gynecological Surgeon and Infertility Specialist, passed away January 18, 2012 at The Stewart Health Center on the campus of The Cypress of Charlotte due to complications resulting from a valiant eight year battle with Alzheimer's Disease. Born in Blytheville, Arkansas on October 10, 1933, he was the only child of Robert Henry Wilks and Grace Webb Wilks. Dr. Wilks graduated from Blytheville High School in 1951, attended the University of Mississippi for three years, after which he graduated first in his class at The University of Tennessee School of Medicine in 1957. He then completed his Internship at The John Gaston Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, an affiliate of The University of Tennessee School of Medicine before serving two years as a captain in the United States Air Force.
Dr. Wilks completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1963 and then moved to Roanoke, Virginia where he became a long time partner with The Jefferson Surgical Clinic, Inc. Dr. Wilks was Board Certified by and a Fellow of The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and held Membership in both the American College of Surgeons and the American Fertility Society. Dr. Wilks served as a Clinical Professor of Gynecological Surgery at Carilion Hospital, Roanoke, Virginia, a division of The University of Virginia School of Medicine. Dr. Wilks was the physician member of a team consisting of two Senior Hospital Administrators and several attorneys who successfully received, after numerous hearings over a two year period in Washington, Federal approval of the Merger of the two large hospitals in the Roanoke Valley. This merger was the initial action in the development over a 20 year time frame of Carilion Health Care System, presently one of the largest Health Care Systems in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Dr. Wilks was for many years a Member of the Board of Directors of The Community Hospital of Roanoke Valley. After the merger he was a Member of The Board of Directors of Carilion Health System until he retired from the active practice of medicine in 1999.
John was a calm and caring gentleman and friend who brought infinite joy and happiness to his patients throughout the Virginias and North Carolina who before meeting him had little hope of having children. He was loved and revered by his patients, as evidenced by the hundreds of Christmas cards and family photos they sent him each holiday season to acknowledge his invaluable influence on their lives. Following his retirement, he selflessly gave of his time and expertise in the non- profit sector. He regularly volunteered at The Free Clinic of Roanoke Valley and later at the Naples, Florida Senior Friendship Medical Center.
John was a student of Civil War History, and he enjoyed dancing, opera and classical music, as well as working in the yard. He was an avid fan of all sports, particularly those teams his son and most recently his grandsons, played for: SteelFab in Dilworth Little League and the South Park Falcons football program. He was a member of Sigma Chi while at Ole Miss and the medical fraternity, Alpha Omega Alpha. He was a proud member of the Rotary Club during his professional years.
John was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his beloved wife of over 53 years, Margaret Whitfield Wilks, his son, John Whitfield Wilks, and two adoring grandsons, John Bennett Wilks and Andrew Eberhart Wilks, all of Charlotte. He is also survived by a brother-in-law, Frank Young Whitfield of Atlanta, GA, his brother-in-law Charles Herbert Whitfield, Sr. and wife Ruth, of Greeneville, TN, his brother-in-law, Theodore Krouse Whitfield, Sr. and wife, Lucia, of Signal Mt, TN, and a first cousin, Bobby Ann Caraway of Memphis, TN.
A memorial in celebration of John's life will be held at 12 noon on Monday, January 23, 2012 at The Second Presbyterian Church in Roanoke, VA. A private Internment service will be at the Columbarium prior to the memorial and a reception for all friends will follow the memorial.
Additionally, a service for John's friends in Charlotte will be held at 11 am on Saturday, January 21, 2012, in the Francis Chapel at Myers Park United Methodist Church. The family extends sincere appreciation and heartfelt gratitude to the staff of the Stewart Health Center for their compassion and care. Special thanks are given to Dr. Wilks' private caregivers Robyn Massey, Theresa Smith, Cynthia Adams, Nancy Burghart and Lisa Lindsay.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in John's name be made to either the Alzheimer's Association, Western Carolinas Chapter, 3800 Shamrock Road, Charlotte, NC 28215, Hospice & Palliative Care 1420 East Seventh Street Charlotte, NC 28204 or The Columbarium Fund at Second Presbyterian Church, 214 Mountain Ave. SW, Roanoke, VA 24016.
Arrangements are in the care of Simply Cremations of Charlotte.