George Ladner

Dr. George Ladner

Jackson, MS

Dr. George Dale Ladner passed away at home with family on January 28, 2014, in Jackson, Mississippi. He lived a long, happy life full of family, love and friendship. He was kind to everyone he met and was known for his jovialness.

George was born on February 22, 1936 to George W. and Eran Seymour Ladner and was raised in D'Iberville, MS. He was an outstanding athlete and graduated valedictorian of his class at D'Iberville High School in 1955. After obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, he attended the University of Mississippi School of Medicine. He graduated in June of 1962 and soon after married his sweetheart, Jane Carolyn Sullivan of Mize, MS, and started what would be their 51 plus years of life together.

George entered the United States Air Force in July of the same year. He and his new bride spent the next three years with the Air Force. George achieved the rank of captain and served as General Medical Officer for 2 years at Ent Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, CO. After his internship, he and Jane returned to Mississippi with something new, their first born child, Mark Edmund Ladner. They settled in Jackson and George did his psychiatry residency at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine where he was named Chief Resident.

Dr. George D. Ladner started his private practice in 1968. In the years to come, he built his practice and his family. He and Jane brought two more children into their family, another son, Kirk Gavin Ladner and a daughter, Hope Sullivan Ladner.

George loved his family with every ounce of his being. He delighted in taking the family to Oxford on weekends to see his beloved Ole Miss Rebels play at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. He made sure that his children were at mass every Sunday at St. Richard Catholic Church. He loved planning holiday celebrations and family vacations. His most important goal in life was to provide a happy home for his family.

He was one of the founders of the Psychiatric Development Association which established Riverside Hospital, the first private psychiatric hospital in Mississippi. Riverside later became Charter Hospital, and he served as its medical director. He also served as medical director of the geropsychiatric unit for numerous county hospitals including Simpson, Neshoba, Leake and Lawrence. After retiring from private practice, he worked as a staff psychiatrist at the Mississippi State Hospital.

Over the years, George was active in the American Medical Association, Mississippi State Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, Mississippi Psychiatric Association and Central Medical Association. He was named Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, one of the highest distinctions in his field.

For anyone that knew Dr. Ladner, in his eyes, the measure of his professional success was not the titles or awards, it was the smiling faces of the people and families whose lives he touched through his work. He was known for his great compassion and dedication to his patients. He truly loved helping others and experienced great joy in what he did.

George saw his first son, Mark, follow in his footsteps as a psychiatrist, marry Angela Abraham and have three children of his own, Amelia, Julianna and Alexandra. He saw his second son, Kirk, become a lawyer, marry Lynn Plimpton, and have two children, Zoe and Ava. He saw his daughter, Hope, develop a career in government relations and get engaged to Chris Baker.

In his golden years, he spent every holiday surrounded with his children and grandchildren. His house was often the gathering spot for family lunches and dinners. He loved that his children were close to each other and that his grandchildren were a part of such a close-knit family. He leaves behind a path of lives that are better for knowing him and a legacy that will endure for generations.

Dr. George D. Ladner's visitation will be at Wright and Ferguson on Highland Colony Road from 5:00-7:00 pm on Friday, January 31. A short prayer service will follow the visitation. The mass funeral will be held at St. Richard Catholic Church, where George was a parishioner for over 45 years, at 10:00 am on Saturday, February 1. There will be a 1 hour visitation before the mass.

George was preceded in death by his parents and his four brothers, Donald, Joe, Charles Roland, and James Ladner. He respectfully requested that in lieu of flowers; please make a donation to Catholic Charities.