Ed is survived by Kay Thomas Furniss, his beloved wife of nearly 47 years. He was a loving father to children Laura Furniss Morris (Tres), Karen Furniss Baker (Jay), Wilburn “Eddy” Furniss, III (Crystal), Channing Furniss Richardson (Bill), and a proud grandfather of Victoria, Carly, Jake, Chloe, Aubrey, Will, Davis, Reese, Ella, Jack, Owen, and Olivia. Many others were blessed to call him caregiver, doctor, and beloved friend.
Born in Little Rock, Ark. to the late Emma Claire (nee Hairston) and Wilburn E. Furniss, Sr., Ed grew up in Arkansas, and attended Arkansas State University and the University of Arkansas. He also studied at the Marion Military Institute in Ala. and interned with John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Tex.
It’s hard to find someone in Nacogdoches who Ed hasn’t helped in some way. He operated a family practice, serving patients in Nacogdoches for 47 years. He was a member of the founding staff and past Chief of Staff of Nacogdoches Medical Center and was Past President of the Nacogdoches/San Augustine County Medical Society. Ed was inducted into the Nacogdoches Heritage Festival Hall of Fame in 2011 and received the Concerned Black Men Award in 2018. He served as the Nacogdoches ISD team physician, as the team Physician for Nacogdoches High School Athletic Department and was Past President of the Nacogdoches Boys Youth Baseball Association. He also served as Chairman for the Family Practice Scholarship program, awarding college scholarships to Nacogdoches High School student athletes.
Born to teachers, Ed followed in the footsteps of his parents by serving as a teacher of doctors for more than 20 years. He was a faculty preceptor supervising first- and third-year medical students and instructor for third- and fourth-year student rotations. His contribution to medicine continued as a Past Board Member of the Texas Academy of Family Physicians, an American Board of Family Medicine Diplomat, and as a member of the American Medical Association and Texas Medical Association.
A veteran of the US Air Force, Ed was a flight surgeon and OB/GYN. He achieved the rank of Captain and flew combat missions in the Vietnam War. Ed was passionate about his family and baseball, he also enjoyed raising horses and growing flowers.
Ed said he doesn’t want anyone to be sad. He lived life exactly how he wanted to live it. He hoped to work until the very end, and he did. He wanted his children to be doctors and ball players and teachers and they are. A celebration of life will be held when circumstances allow.
His family is encouraged by the outpouring of support and stories. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be mailed to Nacogdoches Boys Youth Baseball Association, P.O. Box 630515, Nacogdoches, TX 75963.
Private graveside services are being held and will be livestreamed on Cason Monk-Metcalf's Facebook page at facebook.com/casonmonkmetcalf.
Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, Nacogdoches.
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