James Douglas Lindsey

Dr. James Douglas (“Doug”) Lindsey of Birmingham, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on July 16, 2023. Doug was born in Tuscaloosa, AL on January 24, 1938. He grew up in Mobile and graduated from Vigor High School in Pritchard, AL in 1956. He was an avid baseball player growing up and lifelong baseball fan. He earned his undergraduate degree in pre-med from the University of Alabama in 1960, graduating Phi Beta Kappa. Following graduation, he entered medical school at the University of Alabama (Birmingham), graduating in 1964. He married Billie, the love of his life, one week later. He completed his internship and residency in 1967. He earned a commission in the United States Army and served as a Captain and surgeon in Korea and subsequently at Fort McClellan in Anniston.

After serving in the Army, he returned to Birmingham and practiced surgery with Simon-Williamson Clinic at Baptist Hospital (Princeton). He operated for over 25 years and served as Chief of Staff and Chief of Surgery during his tenure there. He worked tirelessly over the course of his career to improve health care delivery processes and quality, passions he developed while studying under Dr. John Kirkland. He retired from surgery in 1997 due to health issues but continued to work diligently for several more years inside the Baptist system as a consultant focused on case management.

Doug was a gifted and highly regarded surgeon. His passions were his family, his patients and incredible nursing teams, watching classic baseball games, and Alabama football. He was a devoted, loving, and kind husband, father, and grandfather. He was never happier than when one of more of his grandchildren were at his home in Birmingham. Doug was deeply faithful and a lifelong member of Trinity United Methodist Church.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Edward Lawrence Lindsey and Eddie Mae Evans Lindsey. He is survived by his wife of fifty-nine years, Billie Burks Brown Lindsey, his sister, Martha Claire Lindsey Davis (Randy) of Daphne, AL, his sons, Evan Burk Lindsey (Caroline) of Nashville, TN and Michael Colin Lindsey (Elizabeth) of Sacramento, CA, his daughter, Nancy Claire Lindsey Reaves of Birmingham, his eight grandchildren, Natasha Claire Lindsey, William Ellington Lindsey, Benjamin Burks Lindsey, Marc Alan Soroka, Samuel Evans Lindsey, Lindsey Claire Reaves, Charlotte Emmeline Lindsey, and Reed Hwa Mae Lindsey, and his nephew Judson Morgan Davis.

A memorial service will be held in the sanctuary of Trinity United Methodist Church on Friday, July 21st at 11am, with visitation preceding the service at 10am. The family requests that memorials be made to the American Heart Association or Journey Hospice, 4128 Crosshaven Drive, Birmingham, AL 35243. The family would like to express their sincere thanks for the outpouring of love and prayers for this wonderful, kind man.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.johnsridoutselmwoodchapel.com for the Lindsey family.