Dr. George Edward Hazlehurst

Dr. George Edward Hazlehurst was born in Jackson, TN to George Edward and Alicia Hayne Davidge Hazlehurst. He was oldest of 3 children (brother, Waring Mikell Hazlehurst and sister, Alicia Hazlehurst Ragsdale). He credited his success in life to having encouraging parents and a supportive wife. He said repeatedly in his last days that Aud was the greatest thing that ever happened to him. Remembered fondly by the many patients he cared for, Dr. Hazlehurst practiced general surgery in Jackson for 41 years.

Ed attended the United States Naval Academy for 2 years. He also attended the University of the South and completed his studies at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He earned his medical doctorate at the University of Tennessee at Memphis. While in training for general surgery, he was called to service by the US Army and served as a surgeon in the 44th MASH unit in Korea from 1957-1958. He often spoke of his experiences there. He was honorably discharged as a Captain from the Army.

He worked in West Virginia from 1962-1964 and during this time he met his future wife, Aud, while visiting New York City. After a brief courtship, they were married in Aud’s hometown of Horten, Norway. They decided to return to Jackson, TN to establish his solo surgery practice and start a family.

He worked tirelessly to serve the community during his medical career. He was a member of the American Medical Association, the Tennessee Medical Society, and the West Tennessee Consolidated Medical Society. He served as Chief of Staff for Jackson Madison County General Hospital in 1981 and was Chief of Surgery in 1976 and 1985. Dr. Hazlehurst was a Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery for the UT Family Practice program for 22 years. He received the Physician’s Recognition Award for continuing medical education four times from the AMA.

Later in his career, he pursued his interest in endoscopy and completed a mini residency at New York University. He then trained under leading physicians in Canada, England, South Africa, and Australia. In addition to being a diplomate of the American Board of Surgery, his continued study of endoscopy led to him to be a member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), and the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS). His membership in the American College of Gastroenterology was of particular honor and pride, as he was the only person to be a member of that as well as the American Board of Surgery.

Dr. Hazlehurst enjoyed many hobbies including travel and a life-long interest in agriculture. He and Aud traveled extensively and visited every continent with the exception of Antarctica. He shared his love of travel with his children and took them along on many trips throughout his life. The care of his farm in Madison and Crockett County demonstrates his love of agriculture. In 2015 he was awarded Outstanding Cooperator from the Madison County Soil Conservation District. He was the only non-farmer (and certainly the only person without a tractor) to be given this recognition.

Quail hunting was his particular passion but he sought out every hunting opportunity. He always said his best bird dog was in Korea. He spoke of having a three mile wide personal hunting preserve while in the service, otherwise known as the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea. On more than one occasion he crossed into communist North Korea in pursuit of pheasants. He also hunted brant in Tokyo Bay and antelope in India while on the way home from military service.

Swimming was another notable hobby. He was a member of the Jackson Golf and Country Club for 54 years. When he was a midshipman aboard the USS Missouri during his time at the Naval Academy, he and others were given permission to swim in the open Atlantic Ocean while Marines stood guard with rifles surveying for sharks.

He had fun stories of his brushes with greatness. When he was a teenager, he had the pleasure of caddying for Byron Nelson during a tournament at the Jackson Country Club. Ed was surprised when Nelson asked what club he should use for the second shot on a par 5 hole. Ed shared that there was a depression in front of the green and the distance to the hole was farther than it appeared. Nelson used that knowledge to score an eagle and Ed was given a $5 tip. “This was big money back then!”

While a surgical intern in Louisiana, he met and treated an up-and-coming singer. The artist was about to cut his first album and needed a doctor’s note to get out of a gig in order to save his voice. Dr Hazlehurst remembers the young man as very nice and they spoke about both missing their families in west Tennessee. It is safe to say that he saved his voice, because Elvis Presley’s first album was released and was the first rock and roll album to make it to the top of the charts. Ed recalled hearing that album later that year on New Year’s Eve while in Korea.

His greatest accomplishment in life was his love and care for his family. He is survived by his wife, Aud, and 4 children: daughter Anne and her husband John Garrard; son George Edward and his wife Andrea; son Rolf and his wife Mandee; daughter Alicia and her husband Parker Payne. His grandchildren are Anne Elizabeth, Mary Caroline, and Eleanor Hazlehurst Garrard, William Yates and Sarah Alexander Hazlehurst, and Gray Edward Payne. His step grandchildren are Dane Edward, Caden Bernard, Carter Linden, and Declan Jude Lochbaum.

Services for Dr. Hazlehurst will be held at St Luke’s Episcopal Church on Saturday, September 25 at 2pm with visitation at 1pm in St Luke’s Parish Hall. Mask's are required while inside the church. Burial will follow at Ridgecrest Cemetery with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, his family requests donations be sent to the National Bird Dog Foundation at 505 Highway 57 West, Grand Junction, TN 38039 or your preferred charity.

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