John Roy Emmett M.D.

1943 - 2023

John Roy Emmett, M.D., a resident of Collierville, Tennessee, passed away on June 2, 2023. Dr. Emmett was board certified in otolaryngology, with a subspecialty in otology. He practiced medicine at the Shea Ear Clinic in Memphis, Tennessee, from 1976 until his retirement in 2019.

Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Karen; two daughters: Kathleen Emmett Hager (Louis Busch Hager, Jr.) of Palm Beach, Florida, and Susan Davis Emmett, M.D., M.P.H. (William Joseph Steinbach, M.D.) of Little Rock, Arkansas; and two grandchildren: John Charles Steinbach, and Davis Joseph Steinbach. Dr. Emmett was predeceased by his sisters, Patricia Emmett Womack, and Barbara Emmett Richman.

Dr. Emmett was born on March 29, 1943, in West Palm Beach, Florida. His parents, Roy Cleveland Emmett and Katrine (Kate) Davis Emmett, married over 50 years, provided a loving home for their three children. John was president of his high school senior class and the first student to graduate from Forest Hill High School in West Palm Beach. He received a B.S. in applied biology from the Georgia Institute of Technology and an M.S. in physiology and biochemistry from Baylor University. His Doctor of Medicine degree was earned at George Washington University in 1970. He completed a surgical internship and two years of general surgery training at Duke University, followed by three years of otolaryngology residency at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

Dr. Emmett was well-respected, both nationally and internationally, by his colleagues in otology. Over the course of his career, he gave over 100 scientific presentations at medical meetings in the U.S. and abroad. He was elected into membership of the two most prestigious medical societies in his field: the American Neurotological Society in 1980 and the American Otological Society in 1990. Dr. Emmett served as president of the Tennessee Academy of Head and Neck Surgery from 1984-1985. He served as vice-president of the Southern Section of the Triological Society from 2001-2002 and president of the Otosclerosis Study Group from 2002-2003.

Dr. Emmett was active in his community, as well, serving on the Hutchison School Board of Trustees from 1993-1999. He enjoyed memberships in the Chevaliers du Tastevin, Memphis Wine and Food Society, the Memphis Country Club, and the Memphis Hunt and Polo Club.

While degrees and leadership positions were important milestones in his life, Dr. Emmett considered his role as a servant in Christ's healing ministry to be the most significant contribution of his medical career. He consistently provided care free of charge to missionaries and others who could not afford to pay.

Dr. Emmett was a man of faith who believed in eternal life. As a devout Christian, he often shared his faith with patients as well as friends. He prayed before, during, and after each surgery. He even carried a small wooden cross in his pocket every day. He frequently made the statement postoperatively that "God did the operation," rather than taking credit for himself.

Dr. Emmett had a zest for life and a contagious laugh. He regaled friends and family with stories from his childhood, his widespread travels, and many shared experiences with friends from each stage of life. Dr. Emmett was a true "family man," always very proud of his daughters. He was their biggest cheerleader and confidante.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, June 21, at Second Presbyterian Church in Memphis. The visitation will begin at 10 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. in the chapel.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be sent to Second Presbyterian Church, 4055 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN, 38111.