William Lelon Aron Jr.

A native of Pontotoc, Mississippi and born September 7, 1946,, he was the son of the late William Lelon Aron and Lavenia Jane Aron.

A 1964 graduate of Pontotoc High School, he attended the University of Southern Mississippi. That same year, he married the former Joyce Carter. Having completed his premed studies in just over two years, he entered medical school at the age of 19. He received his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Mississippi. Immediately following his graduation, he was drafted into the United States Army and transferred to Fort Ord, California. With two kids and another on the way, Dr. Aron and Joyce began a new chapter of their lives.

Following his discharge from the Army and while remaining in California, Dr. Aron began his medical career in the fields of public health and emergency medicine, where his introduction to treating patients with substance use disorders presented. He soon realized an enjoyment and a necessity in working with this unserved population. While practicing as an emergency medicine physician, he developed a relationship with the Yolo County Health Department and was instrumental in the organization of a unique neighborhood health clinic, one that is now still serving those communities and operated by UC-Davis Medical School.

Following a life-threatening house fire in 1976, Dr. Aron and his family returned to Mississippi, where he devoted his skills and practice to his specialty, Emergency Medicine. He served as Chief of Emergency Medicine at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo where he also served on the first board of directors for SAFE (Shelters and Assistance for Families in Emergencies). He dedicated much time to improvements in emergency medical care by developing trainings, protocols and expanding networks for managing emergency services. He was considered a leader in the efforts to improve communications, resources for training and collaborations between hospital systems.

Dr. Aron eventually moved to the Delta where he ultimately assumed the position of Medical Director of Emergency Services at Delta Regional Medical Center in Greenville. It was here that he could not anticipate how his experiences in emergency medicine and addiction work would lead him down an alternate path in his career. The AA community and the entire community of Greenville welcomed him with kindness and the gift of lifelong friendships. There, he found himself deeply involved in efforts to address child abuse, domestic violence issues and the establishment of critical management policies in the emergency department. Dr. Aron devoted much time to training medical personnel, law enforcement and educational personnel concerning abused children. He was active in the Multi-Disciplinary Child Abuse Task Force in Washington County during its operation, which reviewed cases of child abuse for the welfare department. He participated in the annual Child Abuse Conference at DSU in Cleveland and helped organize a manual on child abuse for the Delta State conference. Dr. Aron is credited with helping develop the first Domestic Violence Shelter in the state of Mississippi.

The staff at Delta Regional sent a letter nominating Dr. Aron for the 1992 Jake Stein Community Service Award. He had been a Delta Regional ER physician for only 7 years at that time. About this Dr. Aron said: “I seem to have more of an impact on people dealing with them in a crisis situation.” In the nomination letter, staff was quoted as saying: “We feel that Dr. Aron’s caring work is a valuable asset to our community, and he is well deserving of this award.” Of this Dr. Aron said: “It’s surprising that they would nominate me. I tend to demand a lot from them.” The staff had admiration for his work, but respect, as well. “Dr. Aron has not lived in our community for a lifetime as others have. However, in the short time he has been in Greenville, he has done a lifetime’s worth of work to benefit the children of our future and health care in our community,” the letter stated. “Most of the work I do is one-on-one basis. I work as a consultant to the mental health service part-time. I also do some private work with alcoholics,” said Aron. For several years, Dr. Aron ran the Leland Primary Care Clinic, which helped with alcoholics and people with eating disorders to conquer their problems. For all his work at DRMC, Dr. Aron was probably best known for his role as director of the Washington County Ambulance Service where he spent countless hours working with his staff of nurses and ambulance attendants striving to maintain quality care in the ER setting.

Dr. Aron left Greenville to continue his work with MEA emergency rooms and clinics in Jackson, MS. He served as medical director of emergency services at St. Dominic’s Hospital and Mississippi Baptist Medical Center but was ultimately forced to take a lengthy medical leave due to a heart attack. Having achieved his Board Certification in Addiction Medicine, Dr. Aron knew that his personal and professional experiences and training would best serve those patients struggling with substance use disorders. He opened his practice, The Recovery Clinic, which was committed to serving this overlooked patient population. Soon thereafter, he also founded and operated On Demand Medical Testing, a direct access lab designed to increase access to care for his patients. His practice soon grew into a central medical treatment facility for dealing with the opioid crisis in Jackson. This was at a time in the opioid crisis that the learning curve for treating the opioid dependent patient and other substance use disorders were being examined. Dr. Aron remained committed to acquiring valuable training and staying abreast of the latest research and most effective treatment approaches in order to provide the very best options available in treating his patients to ensure positive outcomes, access to adequate treatment, and a decrease in deaths related to substance use disorders. Dr. Aron was grateful when Pathway Healthcare joined with him to take the clinic to the next level of providing care. Comforted in the assurance that Pathway shared his same vision and goals in caring for his patients, Dr. Aron retired in 2019.

Dr. Aron was Board Certified in, and, a Diplomate, American Board of Addiction Medicine; Diplomate, American Society of Addiction Medicine; Diplomate, American Board of Emergency Medicine; and Fellow, American College of Emergency Physicians.

Following his retirement, Dr. Aron and Joyce moved from their home at Lake Caroline in Madison to family land in Pontotoc. Only five months later, he was diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer. The prognosis was 3 months to live. Yet due to an experimental immunotherapy from Switzerland he survived for 4 years. This gift of time opened up blessings and opportunities to experiencing wonderful moments with family and in becoming the farmer that was within him, especially having grown up in a rural community as a child. His method for tying up the tomato plants was an art, but life was even better with his great grandsons coming to pick blueberries with him. His Pontotoc farm was the perfect place to spend the last years of his life in such a peaceful, beautiful setting. In addition to farming, he enjoyed gardening and traveling in his RV. He enjoyed searching his heritage of family back to the 1500s where he ultimately had the opportunity to visit his ancestors’ original church plant and cemetery in North Carolina.

Dr. Aron was quite an adventurous fellow. Of his many hobbies and travels, he always enjoyed reading throughout his entire life. On one of these reads, “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance”, he was to ride his BMW motorcycle across the country from California back home to Mississippi. He brought his 12 year old son with him to share the adventure just like the author of the book that inspired the trip.

When asked what advice he would give to young people, Dr. Aron answered: “I think it would be to find something you enjoy and pursue it. I was lucky enough to go straight through med school and I couldn't imagine doing it differently. So, find something that you enjoy and really work for it. Also, do not make assumptions this is important for relationships; what you say to people, especially your family, has a lasting impact.”

It wasn’t his accomplishments that meant the most to Dr. Aron, but rather his family. Affectionately known as “Pop Lee”, his family knew how much they meant to him.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Donnie Joe Aron and his nephew, Marcus Aron Spears.

Dr. Aron is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ruby Joyce Aron, and their children: son, William Lance Aron and wife, Patricia, of Willis, TX; daughters, Monica Jean Weeks and husband, Lee, of Madison, MS; and Melissa Dawn Aron, of Jackson, MS; eight grandchildren: William Logan Aron (Ariel), of Hattiesburg, MS; Weston Reed Aron (Mary Ellen Cobb), of Portland, OR; Caio Duarte Aron, of Willis, TX; Hannah Elizabeth Thompson (Russell), of Ft. Worth, TX; Cameron Lee Weeks and Alison Jane Weeks, both of Madison, MS; Zachary Aron Draine (Callie K. Anyan), of Brandon, MS; and Marley Ashlyn Draine, of Jackson, MS; three great grandchildren: William Lucas Aron, Andrew Russell Aron, and Carter Jean Thompson; a sister, Pam Aron Edwards and husband, David, of Laurel, MS; and numerous nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 17, 2024 at The Gathering Church, 614 Magnolia Street, Madison. Following the service, the family invites everyone for lunch and fellowship at the church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider purchasing the book, “The Wounded Healer” by Richard Irons, MD and use it for yourself or donate it to a local treatment center.

The family would like to acknowledge the many supportive cards and notes received during his illness and after he retired. They are especially grateful to Dr. Charles Hill and nurses, Amanda and Tasha for their care of Lee and his family in his final months.

On a final note, and on behalf of Dr. Aron: Joyce and his family would like to thank all of the individuals, professionals and colleagues who helped him, encouraged him, and provided hope and comfort to him and his family during the years he struggled with his losses from addiction. We are forever grateful for your friendships and kindness.