Herman Glen LaVelle, Jr. M.D. slipped from this life to the next on Sunday, November 14, 2021. He was 95 years old having been born in Memphis, TN on February 2, 1926, to Hermon LaVelle and Robbie Merritt LaVelle, both of Tipton County TN. He was third generation Irish descent from Achill Island, County Mayo. Known as Nuni as a child (because he couldn’t pronounce junior) this became an affectionate nickname and his grandfather name. He had 2 sisters, Helen Douglas (deceased) of Cookeville, TN and Dorothy Davis of McMinnville, TN.
After graduating from Humes High School in 1944, Herman was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served 2 years. His last posting was in Manila, Philippines where he worked in the Army Hospital caring for soldiers as an X-Ray technician, a skill he carried into his medical career.
Herman had two large dreams for his life. At his father’s encouragement, he wanted to be a doctor and since he loved being in the country where his parents were from, he wanted to be a farmer. Even though no one in his family had ever gone to college or owned a farm, he set out to accomplish those goals.
While going to college on the GI bill, Herman married Jewell Hayes on March 15, 1947. They were married almost 68 years until her passing in 2015. She supported him as he went to the University of Memphis and then the University of Tennessee College of Medicine where he graduated in 1951. Initially Herman did a general practice but then specialized in Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose and Throat). He joined with his mentor, Dr Ed Cocke and J.D. Evans to form Evans, Cocke and LaVelle, ENT practice. His favorite area of expertise was otology, restoring hearing to the deaf. He was a member of the Baptist Hospital Medical Staff and served as its president and department chairman, even though he had a strong dislike of meetings.
Jewell and Herman had 3 children who were the center of their world. David (Jennifer), Bob (deceased 2014, Vance), and Susan Lowry (Heard). Their family life was centered on going to church (White Station Church of Christ), school activities (Harding Academy) or traveling to the mountains in east Tennessee or the Rockies.
In 1959 Herman bought 275 acres of farmland in Fayette County and a tractor. Between his father, his children, nephews, and others who lived in the area, he began to farm the land. Every summer, holiday and nearly every weekend was absorbed by working on the farm. Herman was a conservationist, planting thousands of trees by hand, many with his children or Jewell, in eroded land, using the best farming practices known at the time. By the time Herman retired from his medical practice at the age of 62, the farm was nearly 1,400 acres.
After retirement, Herman worked on the farm, often with Jewell until his late 80’s, which brought him great joy. He loved wood working, turning bowls, and building furniture and even though his style wasn’t refined, it was sturdy. He also had a lifelong passion for learning. His last area of study was to learn as much as he could about ancient Mesopotamia and the Neanderthal man.
Herman and Jewell delighted in their grandchildren, Lindsay LaVelle (Javier), Kate LaVelle, Dan LaVelle (Leslie), Liz LaVelle, (deceased 2010), Ben Fugerer (Kayla), Jeremy Fugerer and his 4 great grandchildren as well as a multitude of nieces and nephews and their families. Herman loved children dearly.
Herman also leaves behind, Earnestine Thomas who was his and Jewell’s loving caregiver, confidant, and friend until the end. He loved her.
There will be a graveside service at 10:00 am Saturday, November 20 at Memorial Park Cemetery in east Memphis, 5668 Poplar. Memorials should be given to AGAPE Child and Family Services, 3160 Directors Row, Memphis, Tn 38131.
