William Leslie Jack Edwards

Dr. W. L. Jack Edwards died on April 7, 2024. He was born in Dallas, TX on September 21, 1926 to Dr. William Leslie Edwards and Martha Caldwell Edwards. He attended Woodrow Wilson High School where he captained the ROTC band and received honorable mention in the first Westinghouse Science Talent Search which led to a scholarship to Harvard. There he rowed intramural crew for Adams House and was elected to the student council. He graduated from UT Southwestern Medical School.

In junior high school, he met Patsy Margaret Hayes and they married in 1947 during his junior year at Southwestern. She traveled with Jack to many places in the US, overseas and annually to South Padre Beach when the children were young.

His residency training included Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, Massachusetts Memorial Hospital, Parkland Hospital and the University of Alabama Hospital where he was chief medical resident. He had a year of NIH training in cardiology with Dr. Tinsley R. Harrison of medical textbook fame.

He served active duty with the USNR for nine months during WWII and was recalled for two years during the Korean War. He served as lab officer at the US Army Hospital in Kyoto, Japan and as an internist at navy hospitals in San Diego and Corpus Christi.

He returned to Dallas in 1954 to begin practice in internal medicine and cardiology with Dr. Mike Scurry and later Dr. John S. Bagwell. He was on the staffs of Baylor Hospital, Parkland Hospital and Presbyterian Hospital, spending much time teaching at UT Southwestern Medical School, where he attained the title of Clinical Professor of Medicine. At Baylor he read electrocardiograms for 40 years teaching many interns the process.

Many of his patients became good friends. One hallmark of his practice was the report letter for the annual exam, often dictated at home at night. Later he would tell younger doctors that he practiced concierge medicine, but without an upfront fee.

After retirement in 1993, Jack played bridge, took French lessons and spent more time on his farm. He enjoyed interviewing college applicants for Harvard College.

He was a Diplomat of the American Board of Internal Medicine, Fellow of the American College of Physicians, President of the Dallas Heart Association, President of the Southwestern Alumni Association and member of the Texas Club of Internists, the Little Brothers Journal Club, the Park City Club, as well as the DMS, TMA and AMA.

Predeceased are his beloved wife Patsy of 62 years and grandson Rett Nearburg. He is survived by three children all in Dallas: Patricia Edwards Hight (Thomas H. Jr.), Dana Edwards Nearburg, and Dr. William L. (Bill) Edwards (Anne); his eight grandchildren: Thomas H. Hight III (Lindsay), Jere H. Hight (Andrea), John A. (Jack) Hight (Cate), Robert C. Hight (Jessica), Anna Nearburg (Duncan Riddell), William R. Edwards (Sarah), Margaret (Maggie) E. Hasenack (Tony), and R. Trigg Edwards (Abby) and ten great grandchildren. Since 2011 he has enjoyed special friend Karen Uhr with whom he had dinner every evening and traveled extensively.

He was a deacon at Highland Park Presbyterian Church where a memorial service will be held at 2PM in the sanctuary on May 13. Interment will be a private family service. Memorials may be made to the Foundation of HPPC, UT Southwestern Medical School, Baylor Scott & White Medical center or the charity of your choice.