Lewis Franklin Dr. Cosby, Jr.

Dr. Lewis Franklin Cosby, Jr., of Johnson City, died Friday March 13,2009, at the Community Life Center at Mountain Home, Tennessee. He was born April 7, 1919 in Abingdon, Virginia. He was the son of Dr. and Mrs. Lewis F Cosby of Abingdon. He graduated from William King High School, Emory and Henry College and the University of Virginia Medical School. He did his training in Pediatrics at the University of Virginia and Johns Hopkins Hospital. While at the University of Virginia, he was a member of the Phi Chi Fraternity and elected to Alpha Omega Alpha Honorary Medical Fraternity. He served as Lieutenant in the Medical Corps. Of the U.S. Naval Reserve attached to the U.S. Marines in the Pacific in World War II 1944-46. Dr. Cosby came to Johnson City in 1948 and was the first board certified pediatrician in this region. He was the director of the Oral Polio program for Upper East Tennessee. He was a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, president of the Washington, Unicoi and Johnson County Medical Society. He began Johnson City Pediatrics in 1956. In 1972, he retired briefly and was the director of the Crippled Childrens Services for the state of Florida. He returned to Johnson City Pediatrics in 1973. He served on the hospital boards of both Johnson City Medical Center and Cannon Memorial Hospital, Banner Elk, N.C. He remained active with the Tennessee Crippled Childrens program. His colleagues organized a lectureship and named it the 'Lewis F. Cosby, M.D., Pediatric Lectures'?. They featured highly respected physicians who speak to Johnson City medical students interested in pediatrics. The Tennessee Academy of Pediatrics named him Senior Pediatrician of the year in 1992. After retiring from private practice in 1994, he was Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at ETSU School of Medicine and Assistant Dean of Medical Education. Dr. Cosby was a deacon and elder at First Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the Brotherhood Bible Class for over 50 years and served as president. He was active in local and world missions, serving in Haiti and Belize. He served as chairman for the Johnson City Preaching Mission, volunteered with Meals on Wheels and was a member of the Emmaus community. He loved his wife Patricia, his children and their spouses, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He also loved the game of golf and the wonderful friends that came with it. He enjoyed his Tuesday lunches with his retired friends and his Hurstleigh Club buddies. In addition to his parents, Dr. Cosby was preceded in death by his sister, Jean English Cosby in 1974 and brother John Thomson Cosby in 1983. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Patricia Vance Cosby, Johnson City, TN. He is survived by daughter Patricia C. Clark and her husband Jim of Knoxville, TN; son Lewis F. Cosby III and his wife Lydia of Knoxville, TN; son Daniel M. Cosby of Leesburg, NC; daughter Valda C. Holyfield and her husband Chuck of Johnson City, TN; son Vance Cosby and his wife Donna of Johnson City, TN; granddaughter Patricia H. Lane and her husband John of Raleigh, NC; granddaughter Stacie K. Holyfield of Raleigh, NC; granddaughter Kelly C. Hemmrich and her husband J.B.of Hendersonville, TN; grandsons Lewis F Cosby IV and his wife Jenny of Knoxville, TN; Andrew R. Cosby of Knoxville, TN; David R. Cosby of Knoxville, TN and Jamie V. Cosby of Johnson City, TN. Great grandsons Charlie and Eli Lane, Raleigh, NC . Sister Helen G. Cosby of Richmond, VA. Cousins Katherine H. Galloway of Greensboro, NC; Jean B. Carlson of Bristol, TN ; and Robel H. Baumgardner of Johnson City, TN. Nephews John T. Cosby and his wife Gay of Fort Worth,TX; niece Mary C. McKenzie and her husband Joe of Dallas, TX; niece Rosalie V. Miller and her husband, Lee of Edenton, NC and niece, Katherine V. Clark and her husband, Charles of Glade Spring, VA, nephew Lawrence B. Cosby of Dallas,TX and nephew Patrick Cosby and his wife Trish of Yorba Linda, CA. For those who wish, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 105 S. Boone St., Johnson City,TN.37604-6262 for local and world missions projects or to your favorite charity. A memorial service for Dr. Lewis Franklin Cosby, Jr. will be conducted at 3 PM Monday March 16, 2009 at the First Presbyterian Church Johnson City. Rev. Louis Imsande will officiate. The family will receive friends at the church from 2 to 3 PM Monday prior to the service.