Dr. Harold F. Vann

Harold F. Vann, MD Harold F. Vann was born on February 23, 1930, in Dayton, Ohio, while his parents, Hope and Maggie (Margaret) Vann, were there for work. They soon returned to Cumberland County, Tennessee, where Harold grew up alongside his sisters Mary, Lucille, and Shirley. The family supported themselves through farming, road grading, hauling lumber and coal, and operating a store, later expanding to a "rolling store" that brought goods to rural communities. As a teenager, Harold secretly took flying lessons, even completing a solo flight. Though he never pursued a pilot's license, aviation remained a lifelong passion. His love for science was sparked by magazines he received in the mail, and after shadowing a local physician, he set his sights on a career in medicine. Harold attended David Lipscomb College and the University of Tennessee in Knoxville before being accepted to the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis. He was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society in 1953 and graduated with honors in 1954. While in medical school, Harold met Carolyn Carothers at church. They married in June 1955, shortly before Harold was drafted into the U.S. Army. Stationed at Fort Campbell, he practiced pediatrics, and during this time, he and Carolyn welcomed their first son, Greg. At Fort Campbell, Harold met Dr. Ed Atkinson, a well-respected pediatrician. After Harold was honorably discharged from the Army as a Captain in 1957, Dr. Atkinson invited him to join his busy pediatric practice in Clarksville. As Harold's medical career flourished, so did his family-he and Carolyn welcomed two more sons, Steve and Roger. Over time, Harold and his colleagues expanded the practice, eventually founding The Children's Clinic. He continued his pediatric training with residencies at City of Memphis Hospital (1965–66), including St. Jude, Le Bonheur, and John Gaston hospitals, and at Vanderbilt University (1975–76). A Lifetime of Care Harold was one of the most well-known and respected physicians in Clarksville, providing care to thousands of patients over his nearly 40-year career. Recognizing a need in the Clarksville medical community, he completed a neonatology residency at Vanderbilt University in 1976, ensuring that premature and critically ill newborns in his hometown received specialized care. His dedication to his patients spanned generations-he not only treated children but also later cared for the children and grandchildren of his earliest patients. His impact on families in Clarksville was profound, with many considering him not just their doctor but also a trusted and compassionate figure in their lives. A Legacy in Medicine Throughout his distinguished medical career, Harold held numerous leadership roles: •Co-founded a Medical Information Company •Chief of Pediatrics and Chief of Staff at Clarksville Memorial Hospital •Vice President and President of the Tennessee Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) •Chair of the Legislative Committee for the Tennessee Chapter of the AAP •Board member of the Tennessee Medical Association's Physicians Resource Network •Member of the Tennessee Perinatal Subcommittee on Levels of Care •President of the Board of the Harriett Cohn Guidance Center His dedication to children's health extended beyond the hospital. He provided medical care at Camp Rainbow, a summer camp for children with special needs, and received multiple honors, including: •Tennessee Medical Association Distinguished Service Award •Tennessee Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Pediatrician of the Year Even after retiring in 1995, Harold remained active in healthcare. He served as: •Medical Director of the Cumberland Pediatric Foundation •Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Vanderbilt University •Secretary of the Tennessee Council of Medical Specialty Societies •Director of Medical Affairs at Gateway Hospital •Member of the Montgomery County Board of Health •Member of the Montgomery County Health Council •Chair of the Grants Committee for the Clarksville-Montgomery County Community Health Foundation Beyond Medicine Despite his demanding career, Harold pursued diverse interests. He became a certified Rule 31 Mediator and chaired the City of Clarksville's Human Relations Commission. Though he never returned to flying, he developed a passion for sailing. After his son Steve took a sailing course in high school, Harold bought a small sailboat for the family and later upgraded to a larger one on Old Hickory Lake. He also rented sailboats in different locations, and one of his most memorable adventures was chartering a boat in the Caribbean with his son Roger. An early adopter of technology, Harold played a key role in computerizing The Children's Clinic's records, sharing this interest with his eldest son, Greg, who went on to a career in computer technology. He also loved gardening, reading, and reviewing books for Amazon. He donated part of his personal library to Clarksville Christian Academy, where his granddaughter, Sarah Smith, now works. Teaching, Faith, and Community Engagement After his father's passing, Harold began studying grief and developed a curriculum based on the biblical principle of "counting it all joy when facing trials." He taught this course in various settings and later expanded it into his book, Coping with Life: Finding Joy in Dealing with Troubles (2014). Harold and Carolyn were active in a Bible correspondence course, reaching students both abroad and in the Clarksville jail. He visited inmates personally, often sharing his lessons on coping with loss, and later brought his teachings to Buffalo Valley drug rehabilitation center. Beyond their faith-based work, Harold and Carolyn dedicated time to many community initiatives: •Active members of the Montgomery County Historical Society •Longtime participants in a monthly bridge club for over five decades •Hosts of a church Small Group for many years •Volunteers for the Montgomery County Election Commission •Volunteers for the Montgomery County Republican Party and The Well, a ministry at Trenton Crossings Church of Christ •Montgomery County Representative to the State of Tennessee Agency on Aging and Disability The loss of Carolyn in 2022 was Harold's greatest challenge, but he continues to apply the coping techniques he spent years teaching others. A Life Well Lived Family remains central to Harold's life. His three sons have each built their own paths while staying close to home. Greg and his wife, Rita-who was one of Harold's first patients in the Clarksville hospital nursery-now live in Dickson County. Steve and his wife, Joyce, reside in Cheatham County. Roger, his youngest son, also lives in Cheatham County, where he shares his father's love of sailing and adventure. Harold cherishes his time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Granddaughter Sarah Smith, her husband Justin, and their daughter Brooklynn live nearby in Clarksville, just around the corner from Harold's apartment. Granddaughter Lauren Moore, her husband Josh, and their children Mason, Aiden, and Evelyn reside in Cheatham County. Harold is known by many as a kind and wise helper, a man whose life has been defined by service, learning, and love for his family and community. He passed away on April 30, 2025. Visitation will be held at the Church of Christ at Trenton Crossing, on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM, with the Memorial Service beginning at 1:00 PM.