James K. Isom

Dr. James Karl Isom, the owner of Plantation Animal Hospital for over 50 years, passed away earlier this year. He was full-time resident at a memory care center in Palm Beach County and was 81 years old. A graduate of Kansas State University (BS & DVM), 'Doc' moved his family from southern Illinois to South Florida in the early sixties. He first worked for Dr. George at West Broward Animal Hospital on Broward Boulevard. Then in 1964 he formed Plantation Animal Clinic. His initial facility was a rented office shared with a taxi company near the intersection of Broward and SR7. In 1972, he built an architect-designed, modern animal hospital at 50 N. University Drive, which won national praise. There, Dr. Isom earned a reputation in the community for his gentle and quality care of his patients. He served as President of the Broward County Veterinary Medical Association in 1977 & 1978. He specialized in surgery and dermatology. Doc was an avid fisherman and kept a home in the northern Keys for many years. He leaves Holly, his wife of 25 years; daughter Robin Nowlin; sons Keith of Atlanta and Steven of Pasadena, Maryland; his one hundred-year old mother Lillian; and sister Judy of Lake Worth FL; brother Jerry of Belleville, Illinois, and 5 grandchildren. His first marriage ended in divorce.