Lawrence Strong Dr. Moffatt

Lawrence Strong Moffatt, M.D., 89, of Johnson City, TN, passed away on December 15, 2015, following a brief illness. A native Tennessean, Dr. Moffatt was born in Columbia, TN, November 27, 1926. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Margaret (Birmingham) Moffatt; four children, Elizabeth Jayne Moffatt (John), of Columbia SC, Lawrence Strong Moffatt, Jr, 'Chip' (Trish), of Charlotte NC, Mary Celeste Moffatt, of Morristown TN, and William Andrew Moffatt, of Johnson City; one grandchild, James Andrew (Chip and Trish), of Charlotte; two brothers, Rev. Dr. Charles Luther Moffatt, of Gallatin TN, and Robert Carr Moffatt, M.D., of Asheville NC; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Thelma Moffatt, and by his younger sister, Patricia Moffatt Winn, also of Johnson City. After graduating from Science Hill High School, he completed his Bachelors Degree at East Tennessee State College in 1947. Dr. Moffatt taught physics and Latin for four years at the Porter Military Academy in Charleston, South Carolina, which later became the Porter-Gaud School. In 1955, he completed medical school and postgraduate residency training at The University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences, Memphis (Doctor of Medicine), Medical College of Virginia (Internship) and St. Thomas Hospital, Nashville and St. Josephs Hospital, Memphis (Obstetrics and Gynecology). A dedicated physician, Dr. Moffatt served in private OB/GYN practice in Corinth, Mississippi from 1963 to 1970, where he was one of the original members of the first medical staff at the newly-formed Magnolia Hospital. In September of 1970, with a desire to return to his home of East Tennessee, Dr. Moffatt returned to Johnson City with his family, where he then served for 40 years as Director of the Public Health Department of Washington County until his retirement. He was also the Regional Medical Director for the Health Departments of Carter, Johnson, and Unicoi Counties and adjunct clinical professor of the James H. Quillen College of Medicine. An advocate of child health, welfare, and education, he served as Chairman of the Regional Board of the March of Dimes and as member of the Board of Infant Fatalities. In 1974, he served on behalf of the World Health Organization as public health liaison to Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Great Britain. He was a recent recipient of the HealthCare Heroes Cup of Kindness Service Award. After working hard and compassionately in the medical profession for over 50 years, Dr. Moffatt retired in 2009. Dr. Moffatt was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Johnson City, which he attended faithfully and where he served on Session and was a member of the Choir. Dr. Moffatt enjoyed many diversions, including music, travel, gourmet cooking, literature and poetry, history and genealogy, and gardening. He loved the outdoors, particularly the mountains of East Tennessee and western North Carolina, where he and his family enjoyed hikes, excursions and picnics over the years. On a cold sunny day, December 19, 2015, a private graveside service was held at Monte-Vista Cemetery in Johnson City, Tennessee, which was attended by his immediate and extended family and close friends. A message was provided by his brother, Rev. Dr. Charles Moffatt, with music provided by distant bagpipes in honor of Dr. Moffatts love of Scotland and his Scottish heritage. The family requests any memorial donations may be made to the St. Labre Indian School (www.stlabre.org). Our devoted father and faithful husband, Lawrence Moffatt, will be greatly missed by his family and friends.