H. Curtis McGown, III, MD, 85, died Friday, May 29, 2015. Born in Charlotte, NC, on July 5, 1929, he was a son of the late Henry Curtis McGown, II. and Margaret Ophelia Cole McGown. Dr. McGown spent his childhood years in Memphis, Tennessee. He enlisted in the US Marine Corps, serving until 1948. After his honorable discharge, he attended Mississippi State and graduated from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. In 1955, he completed his medical education through the University of Tennessee School of Medicine. Dr. McGown's work as a physician led him to positions in North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, and ultimately to service in the United States Army as a combat surgeon. He was a volunteer surgeon in Vietnam, and he served as a General Surgeon in Saudi Arabia with the 144th Evacuation Hospital during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his service, and was presented the Meritorious Service Award by the Military Order of the Purple Heart for his work with the wounded. Dr. McGown was a dedicated physician whose care and compassion were hallmarks of his work. Over the course of his career, he held positions as President of the South Carolina Chapter of the American College of Surgeons, Director of Medical Education and Director of Surgical Education at Richland Memorial Hospital, as well as Chief of Surgery at WJB Dorn VA Medical Center and Lexington Medical Center. He enjoyed teaching and he freely shared his knowledge and experience with students by serving as a professor at the Medical University of South Carolina and the USC School of Medicine. Most recently, Dr. McGown worked in the Emergency Departments at the Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, NC, and Bamberg Hospital, Bamberg, SC, always giving the best of himself to help others in their most difficult hours. He was a member of Cedar Creek Baptist Church, and a man of deep Christian faith. His care for others and his devotion to Christ led him to serve as a medical missionary in both Haiti and Africa.

Dr. McGown is survived by his children, Martha Cole McGown Lopez (Oscar), Joseph Curtis McGown, Dr. Steven Taylor McGown (Sara), Dr. Andrew Thomas McGown, and Margaret Hale McGown Arthur (David); grandchildren, Steven Taylor McGown, II, John Curtis Sander McGown, Jesse McLane Arthur, Abigail Sutton Arthur, and Ann Cole Arthur. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters, Margaret McGown and Bettye Schneider, and brother, Taylor McGown.

A graveside service for Dr. McGown will be held at 2 o'clock, Friday, June 5th, at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road, Columbia, with Dr. James W. Thompson, III officiating. The family is invited to gather at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, at 1 o'clock, Friday, prior to the graveside service. A memorial service will be held at 5 o'clock, Saturday, June 6th at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia. The family will greet friends at the funeral home Saturday, beginning at 4 o'clock, as well as following the memorial service. Memorials may be made to Babcock Center Foundation, 2725 Banny Jones Ave., West Columbia, SC 29170; or to Samaritans' Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.

The family extends special thanks to the staff of WJB Dorn VA Medical Center, Palmetto Health Richland, Warriors Walk Hospice, Hospice Advantage, and caregiver, Ida Armour, for their compassionate care and support.