Dr. James Grable

Dr. James Dewey Grable passed away at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau Wednesday morning, Nov. 7, 2007, after a brief illness.

He was born Sept. 24, 1927, in Quitman, Ark., son of Clyde Thomas and Norma Hammock Grable.

The oldest of four brothers, he was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Herbert C. Grable and Jack I. Grable.

He is survived by his youngest brother, Kenneth N. Grable of Nashville, Tenn.

Dr. Grable's primary education was from Little Rock, Ark., Public School System. His premedical education was at Little Rock Junior College, now known as the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He received his M.D. degree from the University of Arkansas School of Medicine June 3, 1950.

He served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps from 1950 to 1953, serving in the Korean conflict in 1951 and 1952. He was a lifetime member of VFW Post 4924.

Grable married Virginia Lee White Feb. 25, 1950, who preceded him in death.

He is survived by four children, Thelma Ann Ashbrand and husband Mike of Middleton, Tenn., Martha Kaye Grable of Nashville, James Dewey Grable Jr. and wife Patty of Hopkinsville, Ky., and Thomas Monroe Grable of Memphis, Tenn. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, Chris Ashbrand and wife Heather of Memphis, Amanda Lucretia Cagle and husband Daniel of Gallaway, Tenn., Bradley Austin Grable of Hopkinsville, Timothy Carlton Ashbrand of Lakeland, Tenn., Matthew Shelby Grable of Cape Girardeau, Carey Alan Grable of Hopkinsville and Jamie LeeAnn Vickers and husband Ryan of Mt. Juliet, Tenn., as well as a great-grandson, Parker Reed Ashbrand of Memphis.

He is survived by his wife, Lorene Hoxworth Holland Grable, who he married Nov. 29, 1980.

Dr. Grable was a well-known practicing physician for over 55 years, with 30 years in family practice at Portageville, Mo. He was medical director of Doctors Park Surgery in Cape Girardeau 18 years. He was currently a practicing physician at A Woman's Life Clinic in Cape Girardeau.

His professional affiliations include the Cape Girardeau County Area Medical Society, Missouri State Medical Association, American Medical Association and the American Academy of Family Physicians.

As a 32nd Degree Freemason, he was a member of Odom Lodge 671 in Portageville, Point Pleasant Lodge 176 at Conran, Mo., Centennial Chapter 141, Royal Arch Masons at Portageville, El Camino Council 52 Cryptic Masons in Sikeston, Mo., Cape Girardeau Commandery 55, Knights Templar, Scottish Rite of Free Masonry, St. Louis, Order of Eastern Star, Portageville Chapter 286, Sword of Bunker Hill and Andrew Jackson Order 43, Jackson.

Dr. Grable was a charter member of La Croix United Methodist Church, Cape Girardeau.

His genuine concern and love for others leaves a legacy for a host of family, friends and colleagues.

Visitation will be Saturday from 3 to 8 p.m. at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home. Masonic service conducted by St. Mark's Masonic Lodge will be at 7.

The funeral will be Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at La Croix United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Ron Watts officiating. A graveside service will be held at 4 p.m. at Portageville Cemetery in Portageville.

The family requests memorials be made to La Croix United Methodist Church Building Fund or First United Methodist Church in Portageville.