Dr. James Waldrip Forrester

Georgetown, SC: James Waldrip Forrester, M.D., 90, of Georgetown, South Carolina, peacefully passed away while surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, August 7, 2014, after having sustained injuries in a fall. Jim is survived by his wife of 62 years, Liz- his partner in Christ, adventure and all things family; his daughters Therese (Duncan) Pindar and Elizabeth; son Jim, Jr. (Katherine); grandchildren Duncan, Mallery, Lindsay, and Hawkins Pindar, and Morgan and Lawson Forrester; and numerous nieces and nephews. Jim was predeceased by his daughter Katherine Agnes Forrester and brothers Harrison and Lindsay Forrester. Jim was born in Cartersville, Georgia on July 19, 1924, a son of Agnes and Lindsay Forrester of Marietta, Georgia. While always remaining proud of his Marietta beginnings, Jim moved with his family to Greenville, South Carolina and graduated from Greenville High School in 1941. Jim entered the United States Naval Academy with the Class of 1945 and because of the accelerated war efforts he graduated in 1944. From 1944 –1948, Jim served as a Surface Warfare Officer and as a Naval Aviator at various duty stations, including USS Baltimore operating against the Japanese and on USS Philippine Sea in the Atlantic and Mediterranean as a carrier pilot following WWII. Jim's military service in WWII left a life-long desire to attend to the care of others through his skills as a physician. Jim loved his country and was a true patriot in all senses of the word. After service in WWII, Jim attended Harvard Medical School where he served as President of his Class for three years and graduated in 1953. Jim completed his internship and residency at Washington University, the Barnes and allied Hospitals in St. Louis, Missouri in 1958. Jim received his American Board of Surgery certification in 1961. Being a lover of the coast of South Carolina and believing he had a calling to serve people from all walks of life, Jim and Liz brought their young family to Georgetown, where Jim practiced general surgery from 1958 in what was then a 13-bed hospital, until his retirement in 1994. During this time, Jim was honored to have practiced with Drs. Armstrong, Blalock and Lee. Jim held the positions of Chief of Surgery from 1975-86, Chief of Staff, Chairman of the Hospital Quality Assurance Committee, and member of the Executive and Critical Care Committees. In addition to being a member of the South Carolina and American Medical Associations, the Georgetown County Medical Society, the American College of Surgeons, and the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, Jim was a founding member of the American Society of General Surgeons and a Past-President of the South Carolina Surgical Society. Jim was Past-Board Chairman of the Pee-Dee Regional Health Systems Agency and a past member of the South Carolina Health Coordinating Council and Waccamaw Regional Health Planning Committee. Civic and community organizations reaped the benefit of Jim's service, with his having served as President of the Georgetown Rotary Club, the Georgetown County Industrial Commission, Georgetown City Schools Advisory Board, Chairman of the Georgetown County Comprehensive Health Planning Committee, Boy Scout Troop 300 Committee, and Georgetown Memorial Hospital Foundation. He was an early organizer of the South Carolina Republican Party and remained energetically active in civic affairs. Jim was past President of the Winyah Indigo Society, a past member of the Carolina Yacht Club and a member of the US Naval Academy Sailing Squadron. Jim was a faithful and tireless servant for the Lord; a commitment central to all things in his life. He was an active member of Prince George Winyah Episcopal Church, where he served as Senior Warden, founder of the Men's Bible Study, Lay Reader and Member of the Pastoral Care Committee. The outdoors provided a great source of passion for Jim. He was an avid bird hunter, sailor, hiker, camper and traveller. Of utmost importance was his role as husband, father and grandfather where his wisdom, kindness, example and love of the Lord will provide a legacy for generations to come. Funeral services will be held at four o'clock Sunday afternoon, August 10, 2014, at Prince George Winyah Episcopal Church. Burial will follow at the Prince George Winyah Episcopal Church cemetery, with a reception to follow in the Rectory yard, weather permitting. Sign our guestbook at: www. mayerfuneralhome.com. The family will receive friends on Saturday, August 9, 2014, at the Winyah Indigo Society Hall, from five o'clock to seven o'clock. Memorials in honor of Jim may be sent to Prince George Winyah Episcopal Church, PO Box 674, Georgetown, SC 29442 or a charity of the donor's choice.