John Lawrence Vry, M.D.

He is survived by his wife, Meredith Vry, whom he called his soulmate; six daughters: Aimee (Scott) White, Stephanie (Scott) Wood, Allison (Philip) Siff, Heather (Chris) Scalzo, Laurelyn (Kenneth) Flowers, and Jennie (Shawn) Liu; eighteen grandchildren: Melanie, Emilie, Laurelyn, and Noelle White; Julia (Benjamin) Pinckney, Hannah (Cody) Jackson, John Caleb (Taylor) Wood, Luke Wood; Thomas, Benjamin, Nathan, and Pearl Siff; Olivia, Meredith, Eleanor, and Gabriel Scalzo; Elijah and Jay Liu; five great-grandchildren: Grace, Tanner, and Truett Pinckney; Lyla Jackson, and Amelia Wood; sister Laura (William) Dickerson; sister-in-law Jennie (Eddie) Caskey; and niece and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Lawrence and Pearl Vry and his sister Patricia Vry Jobe.

Born in Lexington, Kentucky on February 23, 1945, John received his M.D. from the University of Kentucky Medical School in 1970, after attending his undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan. He served in the Navy Medical Corp as a Lieutenant Commander.

An accomplished competitive swimmer, John set a Kentucky AAU record for the 400-meter individual medley and broke the University of Michigan varsity record for the 200-yard individual medley. He was a NCAA All-American in swimming in 1963. He qualified for, and swam at, the 1964 Olympic Trials in New York.

After residencies in general surgery and family medicine, Dr. Vry moved to Greenville, South Carolina in 1976 and became a founding partner at Woodward Medical Center (formerly Henry Woodward Medical Clinic). He was a board-certified physician in internal medicine, geriatrics, and family medicine and was a staff physician at Greenville Memorial (now Prisma) and St. Francis (now Bon Secours) hospitals. He was a certified medical director and served in that capacity at Rolling Green Health Care, Rolling Green Alzheimer’s Unit, and Magnolia Manor nursing homes.

Dr. Vry was a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, member of American Medical Association, American Geriatric Society, South Carolina Medical Association, Greenville County Medical Society, and SC Chapter of the American Medical Directors Association, serving as its president in 2012. He also served as a Volunteer Preceptor for the geriatric rotation of senior family practice residents at Greenville Memorial Hospital; Chairman of the Mediation Committee for the Greenville County Medical Society; and Chairman of the Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee at St. Francis Hospital.

A compassionate and caring physician, he enjoyed developing personal relationships with and taking care of his patients, many of whom were his patients for over thirty years. He was voted to “The Best Doctors in America” for many years. He retired in 2017, after over forty years of practicing medicine.

John’s focus was always on his family. Although he was an avid amateur photographer who enjoyed taking pictures of interesting facets of daily life both at home and abroad, he spent an inordinate amount of time photographing his children and grandchildren in all of their pursuits – sports, music, etc. Before his illness, he and his wife enjoyed square dancing and met many lovely friends through that. He was a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. He cherished spending time with his family and sharing in their lives. His grandchildren described him as compassionate, patient, intelligent, attentive, devoted, clever, generous, witty, helpful, joyful, funny, a good sport, and selfless.

He was a member of Horizon Church. He was a strong believer and dedicated follower of Jesus. He loved God and modeled his love for God to his entire family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Dr. Vry’s memory to the Greenville Free Medical Clinic where he volunteered.

The Greenville Free Medical Clinic, PO Box 8993 Greenville, SC 29604

Donate — Greenville Free Medical Clinic (greenvillefreeclinic.org)

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 29, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. at Mackey Funerals and Cremations at Century Drive, 311 Century Drive, Greenville, SC.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mackeycenturydrive.com for the Vry family.