Lester C. Nunnally M.D.

The Central Florida medical community lost one of its pioneers with the passing of Lester Carol Nunnally. Our beloved ‘Pops’, as he was affectionately known after becoming a grandfather, left us early Thursday morning, April 14th, with his loved ones gathered around him, after a well-fought battle with cancer.

Les was born in Memphis on October 28th, 1930, to Guy and Olga Nunnally. He was the youngest of four boys, and the heartbreaking accidental death of his brother, Alford, seeded a passion in him to become a surgeon. Les graduated from the University of Tennessee School of Medicine in December 1953. During that time, he often moonlighted at St. Mary’s in Knoxville, and it was there he met a cute little nursing student who would become the love of his life - Jeanne Creekmore. They were married June 12, 1954, and soon after began their 62-year marital adventure with a two-year stay in the South Pacific while he was stationed in Guam as a Captain in the Air Force. It was there that their daughter, Rebecca, was born. In 1957, they returned to the states and settled in Houston, where Les entered the prestigious cardiovascular surgical residency program at Baylor College of Medicine under the direct training of Dr. Michael DeBakey while Jeanne worked as a nurse at MD Anderson and Hermann Memorial hospitals. After he completed his residency, he moved his family to Orlando and joined a surgical practice as an opportunity to raise his daughter in a climate similar to where she was born. In 1964, he performed the first open-heart surgery in Central Florida at what was then known as Orange Memorial Hospital, and in 1970 performed the first coronary bypass procedure in our area. His reputation as a skilled heart surgeon became widely known, and in 1970 he formed Cardiovascular Surgeons, P.A., a practice that still exists today. Les was devoted to his work, and enjoyed over 30 years treating his patients and working with the professionals at ORMC, Lucerne Hospital and Florida Hospital. After retiring in 1992, Les relished being a grandfather and golf aficionado – he could frequently be seen on many a golf course around the area with his golf buddies Hutch and Jerry. Les was also an avid reader and Internet researcher, and his inquisitive mind allowed him to shift his focus to becoming a very knowledgeable and talented geopolitical analyst. Les also enjoyed researching and planning legendary family vacations both in the U.S. and around the world. In 2001, the Mayor proclaimed May 29th Lester C. Nunnally, M.D. Day. Les was a proud member of The American College of Surgeons, The American College of Cardiology, and The Southern Thoracic Surgical Association.

Les leaves behind his cherished wife of 62 years, Jeanne; adored daughter Rebecca Nunnally Amidon; beloved grandson Jordan Voght; much loved nephew David Gragg; sisters-in-law Mickey Gragg of Boynton Beach and Edna Croley of Port Charlotte; many cousins, nieces and nephews, and his dear friend Dr. Pat Quijada. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Alford, Guyton and Richard.

A private memorial service for family will be held Saturday, April 23rd, at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Funeral Home. An informal Celebration of his Life will be held the following Saturday, April 30th, at 10:00 at Conway United Methodist Church, 3401 S. Conway Road, Orlando, 32812, with a reception to follow at his daughter’s house. Directions to her home will be provided at the service. In lieu of flowers, Les and his family would be most grateful for any remembrance in his name to VITAS Healthcare (Vitas.com) or the University of Tennessee School of Medicine, 910 Madison, Suite 1002, Memphis, TN 38163. Also available is an online guestbook at www.woodlawnfuneralhomegotha.com that will allow you to share photos and sentiments.

A talented surgeon, Les was also gifted with a capacity to recognize what was important in life and did his best to teach that to his family. He was an exceptional man who lived his life well. Arrangements under the direction of Woodlawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home, Gotha, FL.