Lyman Avard Fulton, MD, 85, died Tuesday, May 2, 2011, Franklin Woods Community Hospital, Johnson City.
Dr. Fulton was born in Bristol, Tennessee, son of the late Lyman Avard and Deborah Shields Fulton. His five-year-old sister, Mary Ellen Fulton, predeceased him.
Dr. Fulton was a resident of Johnson City. He was graduated with honors from Tennessee Military Institute, Sweetwater, Tennessee, and received a scholarship to Harvard College. He was graduated from Harvard Medical School and continued his medical education as an intern at Boston City Hospital, followed by Residency in Internal Medicine at New York Hospital and Fellowship in Cardiovascular Disease, New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center. During his time in New York, he was a member of the Harvard Club of New York City.
Dr. Fulton was Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Utah Medical School prior to returning to Johnson City, where he was in the private practice of Internal Medicine for ten years before becoming Director of Medical Education/Internal Medicine Residency Program, Louise Obici Memorial Hospital, Suffolk, Virginia.
He joined the staff of Mountain Home Veterans Administration Center in Johnson City in 1968 and retired as Chief of Staff, 1991. He was Clinical Professor of Medicine, Quillen College of Medicine, 1978-91. He was Certified and Recertified, American Board of Internal Medicine; a member of the American College of Physicians; Tennessee Medical Association; Tri-County Medical Association; American Society of Internal Medicine; Southern Medical Association, and served as Chairman, Task Force on Geriatrics, American Society of Internal Medicine.
During World War II, he enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of seventeen and entered the Navy’s V-12 program. During the Korean War, as a member of the United States Navy Reserve, he returned to active duty and served in the Army Medical Corps in Japan. When asked to serve for a local Marine Reserve Unit, Dr. Fulton volunteered and was pleased to have served three branches of United States Service. He retired as Captain, Medical Corps, United States Navy Reserve, 1980.
Dr. Fulton was a member and Elder of First Presbyterian Church. He served three years as Moderator of Holston Presbytery, Kingsport, Tennessee; Trustee and Trustee Emeritus, Board of Trustees, Lees-McRae College, Banner Elk, North Carolina; and Board of Directors, Cannon Memorial Hospital, Linville, North Carolina.
The Governor of Tennessee commissioned Dr. Fulton to serve as a member of the Tennessee Commission on Aging in Nashville. Locally, he served on the Board of Directors, Northeast Tennessee Chapter of the National Alzheimer’s Association and First Tennessee Advisory Council on Aging. He was a charter member of the Johnson City Interfaith Hospitality Network Board of Directors.
“Doc†enjoyed the Tuesday Night Classic Bowling League for many years. He was an avid golfer and a member of the Tri-Cities Senior Golf League.
In addition to his wife, Patty Smithdeal Fulton, he is survived by two sons: Lyman Avard Fulton III, (Rose), Kerwin H. Fulton; daughter, Hazel Fulton Robinson; and grandchildren, Millie and Fulton Robinson.
Dr. Fulton will be laid to rest following a private graveside service.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to: Interfaith Hospitality Network, PO Box 205, Johnson City, TN 37605; First Presbyterian Church, 105 South Boone Street, Johnson City, TN 37604-6262; or the charity of choice.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the Fulton family via www.morrisbaker.com.
Morris-Baker Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2001 Oakland Ave., Johnson City, is serving the Fulton family. (423) 282-1521
