Dr. Leffie M. Carlton Jr.

Leffie M Carlton Jr., M.D. surrounded by his family passed away peacefully Saturday night the 17th of January, 2015. He was a sixth generation Floridian born in Wauchula, July 28, 1918, to a pioneer Florida family. He attended Hardee County Schools and graduated from Wauchula High School in 1936 where he served as Senior Class President.

He attended Stetson University for two years where he was Sophomore Class President. In 1958, he was honored to receive the Distinguished Service Award from Stetson University. He transferred to Duke University to complete his undergraduate studies before entering Duke Medical College graduating in 1942.

After graduation, he served his surgical internship and residency in general, thoracic and vascular surgery at the University of Chicago. While at the University of Chicago he was associated with leaders in the field of surgery, being inducted into the Society of Sigma Xi for his research and writings in the field.

In 1943, he married his beloved wife of 57 years, Ellen (Lynn) Remensnyder, who proceeded him in death in 2000. They had three sons, Leffie M. Carlton III, M.D. (Alice P.), Grandchildren Lindsay C. Davis (Ben), Great-Grandchild Charlie. Stacey C. Espinosa (Allen). C. Dennis Carlton (Alice M.), Grandchildren Marlyn Ford(deceased) (Thad), Great-Grandchildren, Jenna, Maci, and Kassie. Melissa Thomas (Patrick), Great-Grandchildren, Tucker, Trent and Tripp. C. Dennis Carlton Jr. Leland F. Carlton (Lisa), Grandchildren Ashlee C. Lewis (Ryan) Great-Grandchildren, Carter and Ella. Alyssa C. Fricks (Tony), Great-Grandchildren, Cadence, Colton and Camryn. Like-a-son Sam S. McClure (Linda), Like-a-grandson Lawrence McClure.

After entering military service in 1945, he was assigned to Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Denver and later to Bruns General Hospital in Santa Fe, N.M. as Chief of Chest Surgery. Bruns was one of the five chest wound treatment centers for returning WWII soldiers.

Following his military service he returned to Tampa where he associated with his uncle, Leland F. Carlton, M.D. until Leland’s death in 1950. In his practice, Leffie was a pioneer in thoracic surgery in Southwest Florida and along with Dr. Richard G. Connar, M.D., he initiated cardio-vascular surgery for the West Coast of Florida and the Tampa Bay area.

He was active in the Hillsborough County Medical Association and was Chief of Staff of Tampa General Hospital. In 1953 he was elected President of the Florida Tuberculosis and Health Association, the forerunner of the Florida Lung Association. He was Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of South Florida College of Medicine and in that capacity taught surgical residents, being twice elected by the residents as their outstanding instructor, a honor he highly prized. He was a member of the American College of Surgeons, American Board of Surgery, American Society of Abdominal Surgery, American Board of Abdominal Surgery, Southeastern Surgical Congress, Trudeau Society American College of Chest Physicians, American Medical Association, Florida Medical Associations, and Hillsborough County Medical Association. He was a charter member of the Fidelity Federal Savings and Loan Association of Tampa. In addition, he was a member of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla for greater than 50 years.

After 43 years of active medical practice he retired on July 1, 1990. His roots remained in Hardee County where he continued to enjoy working with cattle, prize winning Appaloosa horses and citrus until his declining health caused him to stop. On his 90th birthday he was inducted into the Appaloosa Race Horse Hall of Fame because of his contribution to the Appaloosa breed. His horses raced in all parts of the country, with his Appaloosa stallion Time Flies, winning the World Wide Futurity. In 1984, 1986 and 1987 he was the leading breeder of Appaloosa race horses in the United States.

Daddy-Doc and Momma-Lynn were life long active members of the First United Methodist Church of Tampa. In lieu of flowers please donate to the charity of your choice. A memorial service will be held at The Bayshore Baptist Church, officiating Pastor Will Beauchamp, 3111 West Morrison Ave., Tampa FL 33629 on Monday, January 26, 2015 at 11:00am. Following the service a reception will be held in the fellowship hall at the church.

Arrangements under the direction of Blount & Curry FH-Macdill Chap, TAMPA, FL.