M. Bedford Davis MD

Dr. M. Bedford Davis, Jr. died May 23, 2015. He was born to M. Bedford Davis, Sr. and Pearl Bailey Davis, October 11, 1918. He was proud to have been a member of Boy Scout Troop 1, Peachtree Heights, and was salutatorian of the first graduating class of North Fulton High School. He received his medical degree from Emory University Medical School, where he belonged to Sigma Chi, Theta Kappa Psi, Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Omega Alpha Fraternities. After completing his internship at Emory University Hospital, he went into the army in 1943, serving in the 28th Infantry Division of Pennsylvania. The 28th Division was featured marching through Paris on a postage stamp commemorating the liberation of Paris. During the battle of Huertgen Forest, a truce was called for the recovery of 40 wounded soldiers at the bottom of the Khal Trail. A painting of this scene, “A Time for Healing,” was printed and signed by both the German doctor and Dr. Davis. It was sold by the 28th Infantry to finance a memorial dedicated to the thousands who lost their lives there. Later when the war was almost over and medical supplies were depleted on both sides, the German doctor requested they merge aid stations. His finest moment was when he was able to treat both enemy and Allied soldiers. He was awarded a Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Croix de Guerre."More of his war stories were chronicled in his book of memoirs, Frozen Rainbows." Following the war, he trained as a thoracic surgeon, then in cardiac surgery, becoming part of the team that performed the first open-heart surgery in Georgia. He also performed the first thoracic surgery on live television. After retirement from active medical practice, he became the chairman of the MedQual Medical Peer Review Board. In October 2011, he was inducted into the Society of Medical Consultants to the Armed Forces. Dr. Davis was a charter member of Northside Drive Baptist Church, from which he participated in medical mission trips. From 1970 through 1986, he traveled with Operation Touch to Honduras, Dominica, Granada, and St. Vincent. He is survived by Louise Rogers Davis, his loving wife of 72 years; children Mary Anne James (Richard), Merrill Davis (Ellen), Patricia Stortz, and Nancy Davis; grandchildren Philip James (Kali), Warren James (Jennifer), Timothy James (Patricia Bardina), Merrill Davis, Jr. (Jevina), Michael Davis (Heather), Brian Marshall, and Melanie Green (Royce); and great grandchildren Elaine and Emily James, Ethan and Scott James, Morgan and Wyatt Davis, Abby, Max and Emma Davis, and Will Green. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 from 6 to 8 o’clock at H.M. Patterson and Son, Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Rd., NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. Funeral services will be Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at 11 o’clock at Northside Drive Baptist Church with Dr. James Lamkin officiating. Interment will follow at Arlington Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Northside Drive Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA or Tranquility Hospice, Austell, GA.