Hugh Crockett Hyatt, M.D.

Dr. Hugh Crockett Hyatt, a dedicated physician, devoted family man, and cherished friend, was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 17, 1943. Raised in Covington, Tennessee, Hugh was deeply influenced by his father, a respected family physician. During his youth, he often accompanied his dad to his office and on his house calls. These experiences solidified his decision, at just eight years old, to follow in his father’s footsteps. Hugh’s early years were marked by a natural charm, a sharp wit, and an ever-present mischievous grin, which made him an obvious choice for Little Mister Tipton County of 1950. As a boy, he loved fishing, biking, playing baseball in dirt lots, and collecting lightning bugs and snakes. Hugh was a responsible, highly motivated, straight-A student with exceptional curiosity. He graduated from Byars Hall High School, where he played football, was named to the All-District Basketball team, performed in the Special Chorus, and had the leading role in the senior play. In his final year, he was voted “Most Likely to Succeed” and “Mr. Byars Hall.” Hugh continued his education at Vanderbilt University, where he joined the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, graduating in 1964. He earned his medical degree from the University of Tennessee in 1967, where he was a member of the Phi Chi Medical Fraternity. His postgraduate training included an internship at John Gaston Hospital in Memphis, a general surgery residency at Grady Hospital in Atlanta, and a vascular surgery fellowship at Emory University, where he completed his studies in 1974. That same year, he received his certification from the American Board of Surgery and was admitted as a fellow to the Council of the Southeastern Surgical Congress. Hugh proudly served as a Naval Officer at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. In 1976, he moved to Knoxville, where he joined the Knoxville Surgical Group, which later became Premier Surgical Associates. At the time, Hugh was among only sixteen vascular-trained surgeons in the country and the first to practice in Knoxville. His expertise and leadership helped shape the future of vascular surgery in the region. Throughout his distinguished medical career, Hugh served as Chief of Staff at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center and Chief of Surgery at Fort Sanders and Baptist Hospitals. He was a respected member of the Physician’s Credentialing Committee for over twenty years and played a pivotal role in advancing healthcare in Knoxville. As a founding member of the Thompson Cancer Center Board of Directors, he championed cancer care initiatives and expanded clinical trials. His contributions also extended beyond medicine, as he served on the boards of Goodwill Industries and the United Way of Knoxville. A true “surgeon’s surgeon,” Hugh was known for his compassion, precision, and unwavering commitment to excellence. In 1994, he received the Recognition of Service Award from Fort Sanders Health System, a testament to his impact on his colleagues and patients. After 37 years of service, Hugh retired in 2013. In retirement, Hugh embraced life with the same passion he brought to medicine. He traveled extensively and enjoyed playing bridge and golf—two games he humbly claimed to be “not particularly good at,” despite earning numerous master points and achieving two holes-in-one. A 50-year member of Cherokee Country Club, he often referred to it as his “home away from home” and treasured the memories made there with friends and family. Above all, Hugh’s greatest joy was his family. He lived by the principles of hard work, integrity, and generosity, imparting wisdom in both simple and profound ways. He often reminded those around him to pay attention to detail, live life with purpose, and never withdraw more from life than one puts into it. Hugh had nine grandchildren ranging in age from twenty-six to three years old. “Dee” divided them into two groups that he affectionately referred to as “The Bigs” and “The Littles.” His fondest memories with The Bigs were made during their annual summer vacations in Big Sky, Montana. It gave him so much pleasure to share his love of trees, birds, bears, wildflowers, and all things in nature. He enjoyed hiking, fly-fishing, and horseback riding with them. Hugh was always in awe of God’s majesty and felt most alive in the mountains. On each visit with The Littles, stuffed animals, baby dolls, and action figures would line the den walls while waiting for their annual checkups with Dee. Using tiny plastic instruments from a child’s medical kit, he took temperatures, heart rates, and blood pressures, and performed many necessary as well as elective surgical procedures. The Littles’ favorite book for Dee to read to them was How to Babysit a Grandpa. Dee was a constant source of comfort in each of his grandchildren’s lives, and he left them all with a lasting legacy of his love, support, and encouragement. Hugh’s dedication to medicine extended to his final days. Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, he courageously enrolled in a clinical trial at Vanderbilt University, knowing that it would not extend his life but in the hope that his participation might contribute to a future cure. Hugh peacefully passed away on March 21, 2025. Dr. Hugh Hyatt fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith, and the Great Physician called him home. Hugh was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Norman Lyle Hyatt, his mother, Mary Emma Crockett Hyatt, his wife of 45 years and the mother of his children, Dorothea Jeanne Holmes Hyatt, his brother-in-law, Mitchum Warren, Dr. Floyd and Charlotte Bankston. Missing him already are his wife, Deborah Dunlap Hyatt, his children, Jacqueline Blair Hyatt Skaggs (Tom), Hugh Crockett Hyatt, Jr. (Meredith), Mary Lyle Hyatt Hall (Greg). Children by marriage Dr. Emily Elizabeth Dunlap, Charles Alexander Dunlap (Marie). Beloved grandchildren Mary Emma Atkins Brown (Walker), William Hyatt Atkins (Alejandra), Hugh Crocket Hyatt III, Wellesley Jeanne Hyatt, and Dorothea Jeanne Hall (Dee’s birthday girl). Bonus grandchildren Dorothy Mae Dunlap, Theodore Alexander Dunlap, Willamina Rose Dunlap, Naomi Rae Dunlap. Sisters Norma Hyatt Warren, Lila Hyatt Sutton (Frank). Much loved extended family members, Jacqueline Brotchner, Gibbs and Sue Roddy and family, and so many life-long friends, including Terry and Caroline O’Neill. The family would like to extend their gratitude to the Very Reverend Chris Hackett, the Reverend Canon Thom Rasnick, the Reverend Dr. Jerry Askew, and the St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral congregation. Shawn Wilkes, Blake Parrish, and the entire staff of the Cherokee Country Club. The Cherokee Country Club Men’s Bible Study. Dr. Greg Midis, Dr. Daniel Ibach, Mary Sowell, her team of loving caregivers, and UT Hospice. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral, 413 Cumberland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902, or online https://stjohnscathedral.tpsdb.com/Give, Remote Area Medical RAM, 2200 Stock Creek Blvd, Rockford, Tennessee 37853, or online https://www.ramusa.org/donate/, The Sarah Cannon Cancer Research Fund at the Community Foundation, 3421 Belmont Blvd, Nashville, TN, 37215 or online https://www.cfmt.org/funds/sarah-cannon-fund/ Hugh’s life will be celebrated at St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral on April 27th at 4:30 in the afternoon, followed by a reception at Cherokee Country Club at 6 p.m.

Tributes

Hugh Crockett Hyatt, M.D.

April 17, 1943 - March 20, 2025