John Edward Aldridge

Jack was born on December 11, 1938 to John Edward and Anne Jean (Butt) Aldridge. A native of Winona, he received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Mississippi where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He received his medical degree from UMC in 1964 and subsequently completed a residency in urology and a fellowship in pathology. Dr. Aldridge also had a preceptorship at Ranchos Los Amigos Rehabilitation Hospital under Dr. Estin Comaar. Jack assisted in administering anesthesia for the world's first human heart transplant in 1964. It was performed by one of his favorite professors, Dr. James Hardy using a donor heart from a chimpanzee. While serving as Assistant Professor of Surgery at UMC and Visiting Teaching Physician at University Hospital, Dr. Aldridge partnered with his valued mentor Dr. Lamar Weems in private practice. Jack then became a partner in Dr. Temple Ainsworth's Group which became the MS Urology Clinic. A board certified Urologist, Dr. Aldridge joined the medical staff of MMRC when the facility opened in 1975 and established the urology program for the hospital. He specialized in the treatment of neurogenic bladder, and worked to improve the lifespan of patients with spinal cord injuries. A member of the American Fertility Society, he worked with paralyzed males and their spouses to help them conceive using a procedure developed by Dr. S.W.J. Seager of the National Rehab Hospital in Washington, D.C. Dr. Aldridge was Chief of Surgery at St. Dominic Hospital from 1984-1986 and Chief of Urology 1994-1995. He also served on the staff of Baptist, River Oaks and VA hospitals. After his retirement in 2001, Dr. Aldridge volunteered at MMRC and received the 2005 Goodwill Volunteer of the Year Award. In August of 2014 he was thankful to be able to celebrate 50 years of medicine with his medical class of 1964 at a reunion ceremony in the Senate chamber of the Old Capital Museum in Jackson.

A Major in the MS Army National Guard Medical Corps, Dr. Aldridge was a member of the 134th Surgical Hospital. He enjoyed performing physicals on Eskimos above the Arctic Circle in Alaska as well as teaching medical procedures to fellow guardsmen in Jackson. Jack was a member of The United States Power Squadron and a Seaman in the United States Coast Guard.

Dr. Aldridge was a member of Grace Bible Church and served as a deacon. He was a Gideon and a member of the board of PATH Bible Study. He received a certificate from the Institute of Holy Land Studies in Jerusalem, Israel from his participation in the academic study entitled Geographical and Historical Settings of the Land of the Bible. He also was recognized for Distinguished Missionary Service in Honduras by the foreign mission board of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Dr. Aldridge enjoyed boating, fishing, art, painting and the study of languages, especially German and was a member of the German Study Group. He traveled with his family throughout the United States, Europe, the Middle East, the former USSR, Mexico, Canada, and Central America.

Jack will be remembered for his kind and generous heart. He was contemplative and although not easily engaged in conversation, he loved people; no matter what race, class or social status. He enjoyed reading; whether his Bible, history, philosophy or books on solar energy and electricity he was never without a book nearby. He truly practiced medicine, always staying current on the latest advancements, but never afraid to try the good old fashioned remedies. He made house calls and took phone calls from patients at home. He was glad to accept fruit and vegetables as payment methods in the days before managed care when physicians were able to be doctors and not scribes. A man of faith whose actions spoke volumes, Dr. Aldridge was always willing to share the hope of Jesus with others. His life was one of service and giving to others, never concerned with society's latest trends or fashions. He was a gentle, caring father, loving and faithful husband, trustworthy friend and servant of Christ.

Dr. Aldridge is survived by his wife of 49 years, Nancy Thomas Aldridge; son, John Thomas (Christy) Aldridge of Meridian; daughter, Nancilynn (Scotty) Dickey of Brandon; and grandchildren John Thomas Aldridge, Jr., Anna Elizabeth Aldridge, Jesse Thomas Dickey, and Jonathan Morris Dickey. He is also survived by two brothers, Franklin Baroner Aldridge and Ronald Hugh (Beth) Aldridge of Jackson.

The Family extends special thanks to Chester Davis, Lillie Griffin, Brenda Hughes, Lawrence Cosby, Tricia Morace and Sta-Home Hospice for the excellent care they provided.

Memorials may be sent to Grace Bible Church on the Parkway or Gideons International.