John William Sullenberger

John William Sullenberger John William Sullenberger M.D., 82, of Tallahassee, FL, passed away Sunday, April 12, 2009 at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. He was born September 12, 1926 in Knoxville, TN. He lived in Mobile, AL for approximately 10 years, where his father, Charles Sullenberger, worked in the printing industry. The Sullenberger family moved to Tallahassee in 1938. John graduated from Leon High School. He was a veteran of both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army. He attended Carson Newman College in Tennessee and graduated from Duke University. He then graduated from Duke University Medical School. He finished his residency at Duke University. He began practicing medicine as a general and thoracic surgeon in l959. In l973 he took a leave of absence to travel to Houston to study heart surgery with Drs. Michael Debakey and Denton Cooley. In l974, he and Dr. William Price started the heart surgery arm of Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. Over the years, Dr. Sullenberger, cultivated a large and devoted patient following, and was held in the highest esteem and regard by his patients and medical collegues for his caring and professional demeanor. In addition to his dedication to the medical profession, John always had a passion for the outdoors, animals - especially horses, and many pet dogs - and his family. He enjoyed playing cards with his friends at the Capital City Country Club. A football season ticket holder for over 45 years, and a regular at FSU home games, John will always be remembered as a die-hard loyal fan of the FSU Seminoles. The funeral service will be held 2 p.m. EDT Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at the First Baptist Church, 108 West College Avenue, Tallahassee. The family will greet friends following the service at the church. Survivors include his wife: Lois Sullenberger; daughter: Lance (Bob) Canter - Martinez, CA; son: John (Suzanne) Sullenberger, Jr. - Tallahassee; daughter: Kathy (Mark) Bensabat - Baton Rouge, LA; son: Dean Rakestraw - Tallahassee; daughter: Laurie Ann (Mike) Falk - Crawfordville, FL; 10 grandchildren; sisters: Duggie Holton and Libby (Johnny) Woodward, both of Tallahassee; and Sara Waskom - Natchitoches, LA. He was preceded in death by his parents: Charles P. and Viola Sullenberger. Memorial Donations may be made to the American Lung Assn., 539 Silver Slipper Lane, Suite A, Tallahassee, FL 32303, or, the Humane Society, 413 Timberlane Road, Tallahassee, FL 32312. Abbey-Riposta Funeral Home, 4037 N. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32303 (phone, 850-562-1518) is in charge of arrangements.