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Submitted: 9/17/22 • Approved: 10/23/22 • Last Updated: 10/27/22 • R245651-G0-S3
March 28,1929-February 25,2020
Hixson, Gordon Lawrence, Sr. Obituary
Longtime Radiologist Was Former Chief Of Staff At Hutcheson Medical Center
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Gordon Lawrence Hixson, Sr., M.D, 90, went to be with the Lord on February 25, 2020.
A few descriptors of Gordon would be Intelligent, loyal, unique, health-conscious, compassionate, and lover of Jesus and Starbucks.
Gordon was born to the late Emma Jewel Hixson and the late Jack D. Hixson, Sr. in Chattanooga in 1929. He captained the football team at Chattanooga High, married Bobbie Hooper in 1950, and soon graduated from the University of Tennessee Medical School in Memphis, Tn.
He interned at Erlanger Hospital and afterwards served in the USAF Reserve at Maxwell Field Air Force Base in Montgomery, Al. He then trained in radiology during his residency at Duke University Medical Center.
Gordon and family returned to his native Chattanooga, where he helped found the radiology department of Tri-County Hospital (Hutcheson Medical Center) in Fort Oglethorpe. He initiated his own school of radiology technology, where he trained many technologists who are still serving today. Later he served as Hutcheson's Chief of Staff and brought on board advancements in equipment and procedures, many through those he hired to work with him.
During what would normally be retirement years, he practiced radiology at East Ridge Hospital, and most recently at Women's Diagnostic Center. He invented two revolutionary patented medical devices, the Mammospot and Mammospot SOF Paddle, for improving breast images, and sold these to major X-Ray companies.
He received a local inventor's award for his work in these innovations. Several women credit him with saving their lives through early detection of breast cancer, using his devices (still available at Women's Diagnostic). He retired at eighty-six years old.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers George Hixson (the late Betty Hixson) and Jack D. Hixson, Jr. (the late Margaret Ann Hixson), his sister Judee Duckett (Buddy), nephew Jack D. Hixson, III, M.D., and niece Valerie Congdon.
He is survived by his loving wife, Bobbie H. Hixson, son Gordon L. Hixson, Jr, M.D. (Sherry), daughter Karen H. Phillips (Steve), brother Donald Hixson, grandchildren (Trey) Gordon L. Hixson, III (Jackie), Eric Phillips (Brooke Spivey), Emily P. Key (Josh), Ben Hixson (Megan), and Laney Hixson., great-grandchildren Madelyn Key, Olivia Key, Ben Hixson, Jr, Gio Hixson, and Gren (Grendelos) Phillips.
The family will receive friends on Friday, Feb. 28, from 10-11 a.m. with memorial service following at 11 a.m. in the First Presbyterian Church of Chattanooga chapel. His ashes will be interned at the Foster Hixson Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to World Missions, First Presbyterian Church, Chattanooga, or to Samaritan's Purse.
Please visit www.heritagechattanooga.com to share words of comfort to the family.
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.
chattanoogan.com
Contributed on 9/17/22
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Record #: 245651
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