James Miller Callaway, MD, FACS

James Miller Callaway, age 93, was born In Oakhurst, Texas, on November 23, 1930, and died peacefully on June 29, 2024, in Maryville, Tennessee where he lived since 1931. He was the third child born to Dr. Henry A Callaway, Sr. and Birdie Ellen Miller Callaway. 

"Jim” was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Lula Callaway Fay and Carolyn Callaway Byar, brother Dr. Henry A Callaway, Jr, his first wife Judith Emily Wherry Callaway and his second wife Martha Van McRady Harwell Callaway. He is survived by his brother Patrick Callaway Fay (Linda) and his children: Margaret Ellen Callaway Ramsey (Bill), James "Miller'' Callaway, Jr. (Mary Alice), Carrie Catherine Callaway, and Carol Lynn Callaway-Lane (Joe). Jim is also survived by several grandchildren: Emily Ramsey Wright (Ronald), William Callaway “Cal” Ramsey, William Miller “Liam” Callaway, Allie Nicole Callaway, and great-grandchildren Margaret Katherine “Maggie” and Melody Charlotte “Mellie” Wright. 

Jim graduated from Maryville High School, Maryville College, and Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Post graduate training in general surgery at Duke and Vanderbilt qualified him to be certified by the American Board of Surgery, and to be a diplomat of the American College of Surgeons. He served two years on active duty with the United States Naval Reserve, from 1958-1960, serving as a medical officer on the USS Antietam CVS 36, and at the US Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, VA. From 1964 until retirement in 1995, he enjoyed serving the Blount County community and Blount Memorial Hospital, with his brother, Henry, in their shared practice of general, thoracic, and vascular surgery at Callaway and Callaway, M.D. which was founded by his father Henry Callaway and his uncle Lea Callaway. During his career he served in numerous leadership positions on the hospital staff. Jim also served on the Board of Directors of Maryville College for six years. As a lifetime member of New Providence Presbyterian Church, Jim was ordained as both a Deacon and Elder. 

His was a life enriched by the special relationships within the family between parents and grandparents, children and grandchildren, uncles, aunts, cousins, and the two wonderful women who were Jim's wives. Judy Wherry shared the joys of parenthood and life with him for 41 years, and Van McCrady Harwell continued to enrich his life after Judy's death in 2005. 

In addition to his parents, family, teachers, coaches, medical cohorts, and Christian associates, Jim gave great credit to the Boy Scouts of America for its influence on his attitudes in life. Their emphasis on a strong work ethic, honesty, compassion, and fairness formed the basis of a philosophy that served him well throughout his years. 

Jim loved the outdoors, hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, canoeing, whatever the season or the weather. Nine summers were spent as a summer camp counselor, including one year as the waterfront director for the Honolulu YMCA summer camp. He hiked all of the Appalachian Trail, beginning with a 1252 mile, 80-day "section hike" during the Summer of 1948, and finishing the final miles in the Fall of 1995. At one time, he was privileged to serve as the Tennessee representative on the National Advisory Committee to the Appalachian Trail Conference. 

Retirement from active medical practice in 1995 allowed for more time with friends, hiking in the mountains with the Smoky Mountain Whizzers, discussing literature with the Groundhog Day Book Club, swapping stories with members of the Done Did It or “DD” Club, and spiritual enrichment with the Makamie Geneva Fellowship Group from New Providence Presbyterian Church. Jim also enjoyed a variety of sports, including football, college wrestling, tennis, trout fishing, and swimming. On most Friday nights in the Fall, he could be found in the stands, cheering the Maryville High School Rebels to victory. Many kept up with MHS football by reading his Friday Night Frolic notes he shared after each game. 

The family expresses our gratitude to the staff at Shannondale of Maryville for their attention and care during our dear father's final years. We also appreciate the responsiveness of Blount Memorial Palliative Care and Hospice and the support from staff and members of New Providence Presbyterian Church. 

A Memorial Service will be held at New Providence Presbyterian Church on Sunday, July 14, 2024, at 2 pm.

Memorial gifts may be made to the following: 

• New Providence Presbyterian Church
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703 West Broadway Maryville, TN 37801 

James M. Callaway & Judith Wherry Callaway Endowed Scholarship Maryville College 

502 E Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, TN 37804

• The Appalachian Trail Conservancy
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P.O. Box 807, Harper's Ferry, WV 25425-0807

• Boy Scout Troop 88

New Providence Presbyterian Church

703 West Broadway, Maryville, TN 37801

• St. Peter's Prayer Garden Fund

St. Peter's Episcopal Church

311 West 7th St, Columbia, TN 38401