Max Lafayette Brabson, of Columbus, Georgia died peacefully June 1, 2016 surrounded by family and friends. He was 89 years of age. He was a loving and caring husband, father and grandfather. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends.
Funeral services will be held on June 6, 2016 with a Parkhill Cemetery, Columbus, GA, graveside service at 10 a.m. followed by a memorial service at First Baptist Church, at 11 a.m, with Dr. James C. Elder, Jr. officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be the Scarbrough Bible Class of First Baptist Church and Friday Friars. Family will visit with friends on Sunday from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Striffler-Hamby, Columbus, GA.
Survivors include his loving wife of 64 years, Kathryn (Kit) Rice Brabson; daughter, Mary Kathryn Brabson of Columbus; son, Max L. Brabson, Jr. and wife Suzanne Cato Brabson of Columbus; and, grandchildren Christopher Miller Brabson and wife Jenna of Birmingham, AL, Lauren Elisabeth Ferriter and husband Paddy of Steilacoom, WA; and great granddaughters Ella and Julia Sue Brabson of Birmingham, AL.
Mr. Brabson was born in Otto, North Carolina on December 9, 1926, the fourth son of the late John Miller and Mary Elizabeth McDowell Brabson, and grandson of Dr. Alexander Crutchfield and Cora Ann Rush Brabson and James Fields and Ara Ella Howard McDowell. In addition to his parents and grandparents he was predeceased by older brothers James Alexander Brabson, Samuel Hudson Brabson, Thomas Grady Brabson and younger sister Ella Ann Brabson who died in infancy. He lived in Columbus much of his life and was an active member of First Baptist Church and a member of its Scarbrough Bible Class.
Mr. Brabson retired as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Columbus Regional Healthcare System, Inc. on July 1, 1989. Prior to assuming this role on July 1, 1986, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of The Medical Center for ten years. During his tenure, he was largely credited with leading a financial and organizational turnaround of the struggling hospital, which included the construction of a state-of-the-art, complete replacement of The Medical Center and the creation and development of Columbus Regional Healthcare System, Inc. Mr. Brabson always valued and expressed his thanks to the employees, health care professionals and Board of Trustees of the organization whose support and dedication enabled the success of The Medical Center and Columbus Regional, and his own personal career accomplishments.
While leading Columbus Regional Heathcare System, Mr. Brabson served on all system boards including the Medical Center, Inc., Columbus Ambulatory Health Care Resources, Inc., Northside Psychiatric Hospital, Inc., Marion Community Hospital, Inc., Buena Vista, GA, Phenix Regional Hospital, Phenix City, AL and the Medical Center Hospital Authority. Following his retirement he continued board service, and provided management consultation services including a brief interim assignment leading the Phenix Medical Park hospital.
Mr. Brabson completed over 42 years of leadership in health care management with a wide range of experiences and roles. He began his career as the Assistant Administrator at The Medical Center, Columbus, from 1954-1965. He served as Administrator of the Middle Georgia Hospital in Macon, GA from 1965-1968, and the Americus Sumter County Hospital in Americus, Ga from 1968-1969. From 1969-1976, he was Vice President of the Macon, GA based Charter Medical Corporation, a major investor-owned hospital corporation. He was a lifetime Fellow (FACHE) in the American College of Healthcare Administrators and a member of the Society of Hospital Planning and Marketing. He was Chairman of the Board of Trustees and the Georgia Hospital Association during 1987. He served on numerous healthcare and community boards including VHA-Georgia, Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals, Federation of American Hospitals, Columbus Chamber of Commerce, Harris County Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club of Greater Columbus, Columbus Executive Club, United Way and Blue Cross Blue Shield.
During his healthcare career he received numerous awards and recognition including the John B. Amos Entrepreneur of the Year Award, “Who’s Who in America, and the International Biographical Institute “Men of Achievement”.
Mr. Brabson received a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Georgia in 1950, a Masters in Hospital Administration Degree from Washington University in St Louis, MO in 1958, and attended the Hospital Administrators Development Program at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY in 1961. He was a member of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and a member of Sons of the American Revolution (SAR).
Mr. Brabson served proudly in the Army and Army Reserves. He was a veteran of World War II, where he served following his graduation at age 18 from the Infantry Officer Candidate School, Ft. Benning, GA. He retired as Lt. Col. AUS.
The family wants to sincerely thank the many dedicated individuals at Spring Harbor, Rescare Homecare and Columbus Hospice who provided loving care for Mr. Brabson. In particular, we thank James Manning who ensured he was well cared for, and became a dear friend.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers that contributions be made to First Baptist Church of Columbus, the Columbus Regional Health Foundation, or the Alzheimer’s Association. Please visit www.shcolumbus.com to sign the on-line guest registry.
Partager l'avis de décès
v.1.9.5