Thomas Edison Castelloe, MD

Dr. Thomas Edison Castelloe, age 94, died peacefully December 23rd, 2025, in Raleigh, North Carolina, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born on October 18, 1931, in Aulander, Bertie County, the son of the late Obed Castelloe and LaRue McLawhorn Castelloe.

Thomas was raised on a farm in Winterville, NC, where he developed a strong work ethic and connection to the land, community and family. He attended Winterville High School, drove the school bus, excelled at basketball, and was State President of the North Carolina Beta Club.

Thomas received his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating Phi Beta Kappa. In 1956, he graduated from UNC School of Medicine and ranked second in his class. He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at North Carolina Memorial Hospital, including one year of training in Gastonia at the North Carolina Orthopedic Hospital, a vital state institution that provided free specialized care for disabled children, particularly children with polio, and was one of the nation’s leading orthopedic hospitals for children. These experiences further deepened Thomas’ spirit of care and connection, qualities that enabled him to become an exceptional physician.

“I put the mule in the barn, went to Carolina, and when I left, I was an orthopedic surgeon,” he once recalled to his children.

Thomas was a founding partner of the Raleigh Orthopaedic Clinic, where he practiced until his retirement in 1990. During this time, he also served as clinical Assistant Professor in orthopedic surgery at UNC School of Medicine.

For twenty years, he was Chairman of the North Carolina Medical Society Liaison Committee with the North Carolina Industrial Commission, leading the vital effort of physicians to oversee workers' compensation, improve quality of care, resolve disputes, and ensure good medical treatment for injured workers.

Following retirement from the Raleigh Orthopaedic Clinic, he spent time going weekly to Central Prison in Raleigh to provide medical care for inmates and hear their stories.

He also decided to learn ballroom dancing to “overcome the chronic feelings of insecurity” he felt at dances. His discipline and diligence culminated in winning multiple United States Amateur Championships in Latin Dance.

In 2003, the Thomas E. Castelloe, MD, Distinguished Professorship in Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics was established to recognize Thomas’ esteemed career as a physician, teacher, and humanitarian.

Thomas, an avid tennis player, enjoyed international travel and creating memories with his family. He is fondly remembered as a gifted storyteller who had a natural wit and ability to draw others in through captivating narratives and teachable moments.

He was a collector and lifelong aficionado of the arts. Charming, magnetic, and genuine, he was beloved by those who knew him and by the patients he served.

Thomas’ family is grateful for the exceptional care he received from the staff at Bloomsbury at Hayes Barton Place and for his friends at the Oberlin condos.

He was preceded in death by his former wife and mother of his children, Molly Cooley Sanders; second wife, Doris Thomas Castelloe; brother, Paul Edgar Castelloe; and nephew, John William Ormand III.

He is survived by his five children, Molly Sanders Castelloe, Keath Castelloe Low (Jeff), Thomas Edison Castelloe Jr., Clifton Sanders Castelloe (Michelle), and Bruce Almon Fountain III (Sherri); thirteen grandchildren; one great grandchild; two sisters, Betsy Castelloe Ormand (John) and Maggi LaRue Castelloe; multiple nieces and nephews; and his best friend, Jean “Chip” Dodd.

A celebration of Thomas’ life will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2026, from 2pm - 4pm, with family remarks at 2:30 pm, at The Carolina Country Club, 2500 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC. A private graveside service will be held at Greenwood Cemetery in Greenville, NC.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Winterville Baptist Church, 2593 Church Street, P.O. Box 1669, Winterville, NC 28590; the North Carolina Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC 27607; or All-In to Fight Cancer, 1824 Seventh Street, Charlotte, NC 28204.

Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, NC, is serving the Castelloe family, with assistance from Wilkerson Funeral Home in Greenville, NC.