(Dr. Edmonson was an adult leader of Troop 9, and the father of scouts Tom, Bill, and John. His family resided on Center Drive in Hein Park, and attended Evergreen Presbyterian Church).
Age 83, passed away Sunday after a ten month battle with lung cancer. He leaves his wife, Joanne Smith Edmonson; sons, Thomas Edmonson and his wife Cynthia of Cordova, William Edmonson and his wife Mary of Easley, SC, and John Edmonson of Memphis, as well as grandchildren, Cole Edmonson, Michael Edmonson and Amy Shaner. In addition, he leaves his brother, John H. Edmonson, M.D. and his wife Shirley of Rochester, MN. Allen was born in Martin, TN in 1927, and served in the U.S. Army in 1946 during the Japanese occupation. He graduated from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in 1950, and received his M.D. from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in 1953. Dr. Edmonson completed a residency in general surgery and pathology at the Kennedy Veterans Hospital, and a residency in orthopaedic surgery with the Campbell Clinic and UT-Memphis. Dr. Edmonson was a Campbell Clinic fellow from 1956 to 1959, and a member of the Campbell Clinic staff from 1959 to 2001. He specialized in the treatment of scoliosis and spinal problems of children and adults. Dr. Edmonson served as the chief of staff for Baptist Memorial Hospital in 1981. He was president of the hospital's medical staff in 1986-1987 and in later years, was the director of graduate medical education. Dr. Edmonson held several positions in several local, state and national associations, including president of the Memphis and Shelby County Medical Society, president of the Tennessee Medical Association and chairman of the Tennessee delegation to the American Medical Association. In addition, he held several positions in specialty organizations, including chairman of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, founding member and president of the Scoliosis Research Society, and president of the Mid-America Orthopaedic Association. He also served on the Medical Advisory Committees of both the Tennessee Children's Special Services and the international Shriner's Children Orthopaedic Hospital System. Dr. Edmonson contributed to many textbooks and published articles for several medical journals, including serving a term as editor of Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics, 6th edition. In 1975, he was a founding member and served as chairman of the Board of Directors of the State Volunteer Mutual Insurance Company, a professional liability insurance company organized for Tennessee doctors by the TMA. Dr. Edmonson was the recipient of the Tennessee Medical Association Distinguished Service Award, the first recipient of the Harold B. Boyd professorship in orthopaedic surgery, and was honored to have the "Allen S. Edmonson Fund for Excellence in Orthopaedic Surgery" established by the Baptist Memorial Healthcare Foundation. Allen was a longtime member of Evergreen Presbyterian Church, serving terms as both a deacon and an elder. He was a strong supporter of the Boy Scouts of America and UT Football. Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 14th at 10 a.m., in the parlor of Evergreen Presbyterian Church in Memphis, with a Memorial service following at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. A private graveside service will follow in Jackson, TN. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer's Association.
LAWRENCE-SORENSEN FUNERAL HOME, (731) 424-2424.
As published in The Tennessean and The Commercial Appeal