H. Earl Feezor, 89, of Paducah, died Monday at his home.
Earl was born on March 2, 1926 in Louisville, KY to the late Herman George Feezor and Myrtle Bradley Feezor. He was a 1944 graduate of Paducah Tilghman High School. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in April, 1944 and served with the First Marine Division in the South Pacific until he was honorably discharged in April,1946. He received the Silver Star for bravery in action and the Purple Heart for being wounded in the line of duty. In addition, he received the American Victory Medal for World War II, Asiatic-Pacific Medal, China Medal, American Theatre Ribbon and Presidential Unit Citation.
After his tour of duty, Earl graduated from Paducah Junior College in 1949, and in 1951, received a B.S. degree in accounting from the Bowling Green College of Commerce.
Throughout his 37-year career with Western Baptist Hospital, Inc., Earl worked his way through the ranks, ultimately becoming CEO/President. Earl’s mission was to assure that Western Baptist Hospital supplied the finest health care known to the profession. In turn, the hospital dedicated the H. Earl Feezor Regional Radiation Therapy Center to honor his support and commitment.
Earl’s dedication to the health care field and his community is reflected in the many organizations in which he had served, offices he had held, and awards he had received. He held memberships and served on many committees in the American College of Health Care Executives, Kentucky Hospital Association (Chairman of the Board), and American Hospital Association. Locally, Earl was a member of Lions Club of Paducah, President of Paducah Credit Managers Association, Chairman of Sub-committee on Public Housing, City of Paducah, Duke of Paducah, and Kentucky Colonel.
Earl often said that his wife and children had sacrificed much over the years because of his dedication to the health care field and his community. He is survived by his four children, Pam Dixon and husband John of Gulf Shores, Al, Melissa Nesbitt and husband Kevin of Paducah, Mike Feezor and wife Patty of Paducah, and Phillip Feezor of Paducah; grandchildren, Chris Feezor, Jeffrey Long, Tammy Fike, Millicent Hahn, Michael Nesbitt, and Cody Nesbitt; great-grandchildren, Bradley Hibner, Brandon Hibner, Aiden Hahn, Andrew Hahn, and Emmie Hahn.
Preceding him in death were his wife of 51 years, Mildred Tapp Feezor; grandson, Brian Long; and brother, William George Feezor.
Funeral services will be held at 1pm Friday at Milner & Orr Funeral Home with Rev. Harley Dixon officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. Visitation will begin at 10am Friday.
The family request that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Wounded Warrior Project, Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675 or woundedwarriorproject.org.
You may leave a message, light a candle, or share a song tribute at www.milnerandorr.com.
His dear friend and former colleague, Dan Akin, once said of Earl “We have an expression in the Marine Corp, when you charge up that hill, you want to choose the people who go with you. If I ever charged up a hill, I’d want Earl Feezor with me.” Semper fidelis, Earl. You were always faithful, always loyal.
