Dr. George Stevens III

Dr. George Stevens, III

Oak Ridge, TN

Dr. George Miller Stevens, III, 81, of Oak Ridge, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, February 20, 2016 surrounded by his family at his home. He was born May 29, 1934, the youngest of three children born to George Miller Stevens, Jr. and Helen Margaret Brown Stevens. As a beloved husband, father and physician, he brought a sense of humor and a little mischief into the lives of everyone he knew. He was a faithful and active member of West Hills Presbyterian Church. Dr. Stevens was an avid golfer, sportsman, hunter and gun enthusiast. He enjoyed both skeet and trap shooting and was a member of the Oak Ridge Sportsman's Association. Licensed at age 18 as a private pilot, he had his first plane at the age of 19 and earned ratings in instrument, multi-engine and sea-plane. He was also an excellent trumpet player, having served as 1st trumpet in the UT, Pride of the Southland Band and playing, occasionally, with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra.

Dr. Stevens graduated in 1959 from the University of Tennessee, College of Medicine. He served his internship from 1959–1960 at the University of Tennessee Memorial Research Center and Hospital and his residency in General Surgery at St. Mary's Memorial Hospital in Knoxville. From 1961–1964 he trained in Orthopedic Surgery at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As Founder and Member of the Tennessee Hand Society, he was a Fellow of Hand Surgery at the University of North Carolina, as well, and in July 1995, he received Laser Certification in Advanced Surgery Concepts in Orthopedics.

In addition to the Tennessee Hand Society, he was a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery and the International College of Surgeons and a member of the Mid-American Orthopedic Association, American Fracture Association, American Medical Association, Tennessee Medical Association, Roane-Anderson Medical Society, where he served as past President, Southern Orthopedic Association, Tennessee Orthopedic Society, where he served as past Vice-President, the Knoxville Orthopedic Society and the Carolina Orthopedic Alumni Association, where he where served as past President. Dr. Stevens was an active member of Methodist Medical Center and the LaFollette Medical Center and was a courtesy staff member of Fort Sanders Parkwest Medical Center and Jellico Community Hospital.

He worked from 1963–1964 as an Orthopedic Consultant with the National Birth Defects Foundation; from 1964–1965 was an instructor in the Department of Orthopedics at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; from 1965–1970 was an instructor with the Orthopedic Residency Program at the University of Tennessee Memorial Research Center and Hospital, Knoxville; from 1965 to present Orthopedic Surgeon with the Orthopedic Center of Oak Ridge; from 1970–1978 an Orthopedic Surgery Consultant with the Arthritis Foundation; and from 1978–1985 an aviation medical examiner. Dr. Stevens also served in the U.S. Army Reserve for six years, being discharged in July 1969 with the rank of Captain of the Medical Corps.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters, Joyce Reid and Janie Russell. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Campbell Stevens; sons, George Miller Stevens IV and his wife Ginny Combs Stevens of Murfreesboro, TN; Mac Campbell Stevens and wife Cheryl of Knoxville; daughter, Julie Stevens Muller and husband Jim of Arlington, TX; 3 grandchildren, Alisha Stevens Breazeale and husband Bobby of Knoxville, Christina Reid Stevens of Murfreesboro and Nicolas Prescott Stevens of Knoxville; and 3 great-grandchildren, Lennon, Ava and Emma Breazeale.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, February 25, 2016 from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at West Hills Presbyterian Church. The funeral will follow at 7:00 p.m. with Rev. John McKenzie officiating. Family and friends will gather on Friday at 1:00 p.m. at Greenwood Cemetery in Fountain City for a graveside service. The family asks that any memorials be made in his memory to Homes of Love or the Missions Outreach of West Hills Presbyterian Church, 7600 Bennington Drive, Knoxville, TN 37909. Weatherford Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements. An online guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.