John graduated from the University of Tennessee, College of Medicine in 1945. After his Internship and Residency in General Surgery at Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City, NJ, John moved to Oklahoma City in 1949 to start a private practice. John served in the Army during the Korean War from 1951-1953. He served as Chief Surgeon, stationed in Japan. John returned to Oklahoma City and practiced General Surgery and General Medicine until his retirement in December, 2000. His soft and gentle nature made him much loved by his patients. John served as Chief of General Practice at Integris Baptist Hospital, as well as Chief of Staff at Deaconess Hospital. He belonged to many medical organizations.
John loved to travel. He and Jan enjoyed traveling to many beautiful places, all over the world. John was an avid OU football and OKC Thunder fan. He was a wonderful gardener and enjoyed many hours working in his yard. He was also a lover of animals of all kinds. He once saved two baby skunks on the side of the road and brought them home as pets for his children.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Maurice, sister Dorothy, and daughter Janice Spivey. He is survived by his wife, Jan, brother Lillard (Nelda) Brown of Brentwood, TN, and children: Barbara Ferguson of Dallas, TX, Kim (Robert) Lewis of Edmond, Craig (Gina) Brown of OKC, Laura (George) Gaither of Edmond, and Leslie Brown of OKC. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, and by many nieces and nephews. John always loved spending time with his family, especially around the holidays. He was much loved and will be greatly missed.
The family would like to give thanks to Mary Black, Tamara Wadkins, and the nurses from Express Home Health, for their tender care of John. We would also like to thank John’s doctors for the wonderful care they provided him for many years.
Memorial Services will be held at Church of the Servant, 14343 N. MacArthur Blvd, on Monday, February 17th at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Oklahoma Foundation for the Disabled, 8421 N. Walker, OKC 73114 or the Oklahoma Humane Society, 7500 N. Western, OKC 73116.
