Graham, Frank Bartow "Gus" III

Former Chief Of Surgery At Erlanger, Memorial And Hutcheson Hospitals

  • Monday, November 28, 2011
Dr. Frank Graham
Dr. Frank Graham

Frank Bartow “Gus” Graham III, 90, of Chattanooga, died on Sunday, November 27th, 2011, at his residence.

Gus was born April 20th, 1921 in Atlanta. He graduated from Mercer University with a BA degree in 1942, and from the Medical College of Georgia in 1945 with his MD degree.

Following a surgery internship at Georgia Baptist Hospital, he was called to active duty in the Army Medical Corps, where he served for two years as a Captain.

He returned to civilian life and served a surgical residency at The Baroness Erlanger Medical Center from 1948 to 1951, capped by a one-year surgical fellowship (accompanied by his young family) at the Lahey Clinic in Boston, Ma.

Dr. Graham subsequently started a practice of surgery in Chattanooga in 1952 and continued until his retirement in 1990.

Long highly-regarded and sought after as a general surgeon, Gus was a Diplomat of the American Board of Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He was a member of the American, Southern, and Tennessee Medical Associations, and the Southeastern Surgical Association.

Dr. Graham served as chief of surgery at Erlanger, Memorial, and Tri-County (Hutcheson) Hospitals, as well as Chief of Staff at Memorial Hospital.

He was president of the Chattanooga/Hamilton County Medical Society in 1967; chairman of the Tennessee Valley Medical Assembly in 1996; pastpPresident of the Chattanooga Academy of Surgery; and a founder, past president, and longtime Board member of The Chattanooga Surgical Foundation.

Committed to quality patient care, Dr. Graham taught for several years and retired as Clinical Associate professor of Surgery, and served on the initial combined Dean’s Committee for the Chattanooga extension of the University of Tennessee Medical School.

Following retirement, Gus served on the Board of Directors of Memorial Hospital 1997-1999. He was honored by The Memorial Hospital Foundation with the Humanitarian Award in 2003.

Dr. Graham was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. He had been involved in many civic and volunteer activities, including The American Cancer Society, and United Way, having headed both the Doctors’ and Professional Divisions through several campaigns.

He served as an adviser to the Chattanooga Chapter of Reach to Recovery, as well as the Chattanooga Ostomy Association.

Gus was a longtime member and former director of the Chattanooga Golf & Country Club and Incline Investors. An avid golfer and sports enthusiast, he was co-founder of the famous Graham Bowl.

Dr. Graham was preceded in death by his parents, Frank B. Graham II and Mamie Awbrey Graham, his sister, Sarah G. Stovall, and brother, Dan Graham, Sr., all of Atlanta, and by his daughter, Dr. Jan G. Borelli of Norman, Ok.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Dorothy Hall Graham, and the following children and grandchildren: Cary Harpe (Ken) and Corin Harpe of Signal Mountain; Frank B. (Chip) Graham IV (Brenda) of Nashville; Gale Allison (Keith) of Tulsa and Sgt. Graham M. Allison (Soobin Lee) of Grafenwoehr, Germany, Walter V. (Gus) Allison of Tulsa; son-in-law, J. Patrick (Pat) Borelli (Clare) of Norman, Ok., and Patrick G. Borelli and Joseph G. Borelli of Norman; Ashby Patterson (Pat) Graham (Kathy) of Lookout Mountain and Ashby Graham of Chattanooga, Mary Claire and Frank B. Graham V., of Lookout Mountain.

The family would like to thank especially Dr. Graham’s friend and caregiver, Mr. Michael Avery, who enabled Gus to engage in his vibrant and active life through age 90.

Please visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of condolence with the family.

The family will receive friends from 10:15 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 1, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, with The Honorable Reverend Sam Payne officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Memorial Hospital Foundation, 2525 De Sales Ave., Chattanooga, Tn. 37404, 423 495-GIFT, or to the charity of your choice.

Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road, Chattanooga.

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