Goodman Basil "G.B." Espy M.D.

1935 - 2024

Goodman Basil Espy III, of Atlanta, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, November 7, 2024.

Goodman, affectionately known as "G.B." was born on January 8, 1935, to Goodman Basil, II, and Dacy Pugh Espy in Jackson, Alabama. He was the oldest of their four sons. He was born on exactly the same day as Elvis Presley, a special distinction in which he always took great joy and pride. He graduate from Jackson High School in his hometown of Jackson, Alabama. He proudly attended Georgia Tech, working part-time to push out countless slaw dogs and 'rings at the counter at the famous Varsity Drive-In to help pay his way through college. At Tech, he earned a degree in mechanical engineering while tutoring many of the most critical varsity football players at the personal request of legendary football Coach Bobby Dodd. After graduating from Georgia Tech, he went on to earn his medical degree from Tulane in 1962. He served as an Medical Officer in the United States Army in the mid 1960's and was stationed at Fort McPherson. He completed his internship and residency at Charity Hospital in Louisiana. Shortly thereafter he moved to Atlanta where he started his practice and served as president of OBGYN Associates in Marietta, from 1967 to 2014. Goodman was certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and by the American College of Surgeons; he was a fellow of both organizations.

Goodman served as assistant physician for the Georgia Tech football team from 1966 to 1983, and was assistant chief medical officer at the Atlanta 1996 Summer Olympics. Always an avid student and teacher, he was a visiting professor at Georgia Tech and lecturer at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, while contributing to medical literature on a variety of subjects. He was a member of the Georgia Tech's Woodruff School Advisory Board for 20 years, serving on the advisory board for the Bioengineering graduate program since 1995. Among many other honors and recognitions for his contributions and accomplishments, he was inducted as a member of the Georgia Tech Engineering Hall of Fame in 2023.

Goodman's faith, love for others, and passion for building a better world through service, personal sacrifice, and skill as a medical doctor inspired him to coordinate and embark on numerous medical missions. These missions led him to serve in towns and villages throughout Southeast Asia, Africa, Haiti, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and other parts of the world. His compassion for people in need prompted him to bring children from Albania and Iraq to the United States for major surgeries and prolonged recoveries. He donated medical equipment and supplies to underserved areas around the world, and personally funded and oversaw their delivery and implementation.

Goodman was an immensely respected and beloved physician whose dedication to his patients left a profound impact and legacy. Patients traveled from near and far for his care, and he had a unique gift for making everyone feel genuinely valued. His bedside manner was second to none. Over his remarkable career, he delivered more than 20,000 babies - more than any other doctor in Georgia - leaving a legacy of compassion and dedication that touched countless lives.

He also considered it an honor to make the lives of others better by quietly sponsoring tuition and college costs for countless individuals. He deeply believed that the advancement of goals through higher education would lead to generational improvements in their lives. Goodman stipulated that recipients of his generosity were not to repay him, but to "pay it forward". In all his myriad acts of selfless generosity, kindness and service over many years, Goodman never sought credit or personal recognition of any kind. Instead, he delighted in watching people improve their education and better their lives as a direct result of his support and encouragement. Goodman was a dedicated Christian and took every opportunity he had to model his reverence for God, and to acknowledge the strength of his faith.

Goodman was an avid collector of historical memorabilia, but most notably sports memorabilia. His hobbies included traveling and running. He completed over 75 marathons and ultra marathons worldwide - including many Ironman's. However, his greatest joy came through his love of family, and the time he spent with each of his daughters, grandchildren, and extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Anne Neal Espy; his parents, Goodman Basil, II, and Dacy Pugh Espy and his brother Patrick Newton Espy.

He is survived by his daughters Margaux (Jaime) Hockin, Brittany (Sean) Ward, his grandchildren, and brothers, Isaac (Carol) Espy and Paul (Suellen) Espy, who, like everybody else knew G.B. well, will never forget his sparkling blue eyes; his appreciation of every day of his life; his deep Christian faith; his reverence for the University of Alabama and Georgia Tech football teams; and the deep enduring love he brought to all their lives.

Memorial service will be held November 20, 2024, at 1:00 PM at Peachtree Presbyterian Church at 3434 Roswell Road, NW, Atlanta, GA 30305. There will be a reception immediately following.

Goodman will be laid to rest at Trinity Memorial Gardens in Jackson, Alabama.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Veteran's organization, Patrol Base Abbate at https://www.pbabbate.org/.