Dr. Paul C. Thompson

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Dr. Paul C. Thompson, retired orthopedic surgeon, died peacefully at his home Sept. 3, 2005, surrounded by his family. He will be remembered as a great surgeon and for his intense energy and dedication to everything he did in life. Dr. Thompson was born and raised in Reidsville. After graduating from Duke University and Duke University Medical School, he served as a U.S. Navy doctor until the end of World War II. He later achieved national recognition in orthopedic surgery for his pioneering work in total joint replacement. The Thompson-Parkridge-Richards (TPR) ankle was among the first total ankle prostheses implemented in this country. He was a founder and chief of staff at Parkridge Hospital and a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, Piedmont Orthopedic Society, Southern Medical Society, American College of Surgeons, Tennessee Orthopedic Society and the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society. He practiced orthopedics in Chattanooga for over 35 years. He was a member of the Chattanooga Golf and Country Club and the Bald Head Island Club. Dr. Thompson loved the game of football, playing four years at Duke. He played in the 1942 Rose Bowl in Durham, which was the only Rose Bowl to date not played in Pasadena, Calif. He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances Coleman Thompson, who died Aug. 6, 2005, and his brother, Dr. Kearns Reid Thompson of Lexington, Ky. He is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Diana and Gus Bell of Savannah, Ga., Francie and Tom Chambers of Winston-Salem and Betsy and John Bakhaus of Columbia, S.C.; two sons and daughters-in-law, Paul Jr. and Jeanne Thompson of Southport and Jim and Margaret Thompson of Lookout Mountain, Tenn.; 12 grandchildren, Elizabeth Newell; Coleman, Claytor, Fletcher and Marlea Thompson; Anne Coleman, Caroline and Will Chambers; Katherine, John, Lizzy and Emily Bakhaus. He is also survived by a sister, Diana Reid Haig of Reidsville. A memorial service will be 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5, at the First Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga. The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. in the connector of the church. A private burial service will be held at the National Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will include Dr. Hicks Corey, Dr. Gus Graham, Mr. Jim Strang, Mr. Grady Williams, Dr. Thomas Brown and Dr. Don Cannon, all of Chattanooga, and Dr. Scott Wallace of Beaumont, Texas. Dr. Thompson will be missed by the many whose lives he touched. Memorial contributions may be made to the Baylor School, Chattanooga, Tenn., Adventa Hospice, Chattanooga, Tenn., the Alzheimer's Association or the American Cancer Society. Visit www.lane-coulterchapel.com to send online condolences. Arrangements by Lane Funeral Home, Coulter Chapel.