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OBITUARY

Wayne County Press

Dr. Gilbert T. Ransom, 73 Dies

A long-time Fairfield physician and surgeon, Dr. Gilbert T. Ransom, died shortly after mid-nght Monday (today) in the Baptist Hosptal in Memphis. Tn.

Dr. Ransom was 73 years old.

Rites Here The remains were returned to Johnson Funeral Home here where funeral plans are pending. A son, Robert Witson, told the Press this morning that tentative plans call for visitation Tuesday evening and final rites at the Johnson chapel Wednesday afternoon: however, this is only tentative.
Dr. Ransom follows in death his wife. Robley, by less than five months. She expired in the same hospital in Memphis Nov. 25.
When Dr. and Mrs. Ransom health became more trial, they left their home at 408 East Douglas Street and bought a condomium in Memphis so they could be near their son, Robert, who is an official of Chromecraft Mfg. Co. Senatobia, Miss.

Had Surgery

Following Mrs. Ransoms passing, the doctor's health began to fail. About six weeks ago he entered the hospital there and submitted to major intestinal surgery. Doctors found a malignancy. His condition failed to respond to treatment. A heart attack was given as the primary cause of death.

Dr Ransom was born in Hutsonville. the son of Dr. and Mrs. Albert F. Ransom. Dr. Ransom, Sr., was pastor of the Methodist Church in Hutsonville and later the family moved to Fairfield when he became pastor of the First United Methodist Church.

Became Doctor

As a young man he enterd DePauw University in Indiana and received his Bachelor's degree. Later he attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tn., where he received his doctor of medicine degree.

After a a two year post graduate course in medicine at Hillman Hospital in Birmingham, Ala., he did one year of residency at Fort Wayne, Ind.and then opened his practice in Fairfield in 1939.

Mrs. Ransom was the former Robley Holmen, of the Geff area.

As an officer of the Medical Corps of the Army Reserves, he was called to active duty in 1941 and served in France and Germany in World War II, until his release as a lieutenant colonel in 1946. Then, he resumed his medical practice in Fairfield.

He terminated that practice in 1969 when his eyesight began to fail and he joined the Health Service staff at Eastern Illinois Universary in Charleston. Later he and Mrs. Ransom returned to their home in Fairfield.

Active In Hospital

Dr. Ransom was active in the formation and building of Fairfield Memorial Hospital. He served on the board of the First United Methodist Church, was a past president of the Fairfield Rotary Club, served on the Fairfield High School board, was a director of Wayne County Bank and Trust from the date of formation of the bank and was honored as Fairfield Citizen of the Year in 1978. He was a Mason and a member of the Fairfield Elk Lodge.

During his practice in Fairfield, he often proudly said that he had handled the birth of more than 4000 babies in Wayne county, by many of whom were named for him.

Dr. Ransom was survived by the one son, Robert Whitson, of Memphis; two brothers, Fletcher, a lawyer and banker in Decatur; and Albert R. Ransom, sales manager of the St. Regis Paper Co. in Nashville, Tn.; one grand daughter Valerie Wilson and a niece, Mrs. Perry (Gail) Hennel, of Nashville, Tn.