Thomas Nash III

Nixonton resident

Thomas Palmer Nash III, MD, died peacefully at his home on May 10, 2009. Born in New York City, N.Y., on Dec. 23, 1919, he grew up in Memphis, Tenn., the son of Edith Peatross and Thomas Palmer Nash Jr. He was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and he earned his medical degree from the University of Tennessee, completing his internship and residency at the University of Michigan. Tom was a member of Zeta Psi fraternity and Gorgon's Head Lodge at UNC. He was a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and was a past president of the Frederick A. Coller Society. He served as a flight surgeon in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Tom practiced general surgery in Elizabeth City, N.C., from 1953 until his retirement. It was an area he had grown to love from summer visits with his grandparents. He served as a member of the Albemarle Hospital Board of Directors, was a member and past president of Elizabeth City Noon Rotary, and was a faithful member of Mother's Brothers. Tom was married to the former Ginny Crutcher for 48 years until her death in 1993. He is survived by four children, Dixie Nash Sakolosky and her husband, Jim of Lynchburg, Va.; Thomas Palmer Nash IV and his wife Lynn of Elizabeth City; John Frederick Nash and his wife Lane of Raleigh, N.C.; and Patrick Forbes Nash and his wife Carol of Washington, N.C.; 11 grandchildren; his sister, Peggy Nash Rolfes of Memphis; and his loving companion of later years, Betty Griffin Ingram. The family especially appreciates the compassionate care given by Catherine Billups, Melvia Proctor, Marion Johnson, and Beatrice Riddick. Tom delighted in the outdoors - in hunting, fishing, gardening, golfing and skiing, all of which he enjoyed with family and friends. He also loved time spent at Nags Head. Initially residing in Elizabeth City, he and Ginny built a home at Cypress Point on Little River in Nixonton where they moved in 1961. The family will receive guests at the home. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2009, at Old Hollywood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Arts of the Albemarle, 516 E. Main Street, P.O. Box 11, Elizabeth City, N.C. 27907. Twiford Funeral Home, 405 E. Church Street, Elizabeth City, N.C., is assisting the Nash family. Online condolences may be expressed to the Nash family at www.twifordfh.com.