SUWANNEE, FL – Thomas Gillam Whedbee, Jr. (Gil), 83, of Suwannee, FL, died peacefully, surrounded by his family on Tuesday July 14, 2015, in Calvert County, MD after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

He was born on May 4, 1932 in EdentonNC to the late Thomas G. Whedbee Sr. and the late Lizzie Miller Whedbee. He is survived by Marianne Farnell Whedbee, his wife of over 60 years, as well as their three children, Thomas G. Whedbee III (Jill), Sarabeth Whedbee and Christopher Neal Whedbee (Maria). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Thomas G. Whedbee IV (Tommy), Sam Whedbee, Laura Smith, Grant Smith, and Kaitie Smith.

Gil Whedbee never knew a stranger. He loved and walked his journey with people of all types and was loved and respected by many friends and acquaintances. He is remembered for his dry sense of humor and impeccable timing, his generous and kind heart, and his deep love for his wife and children. His love of God permeated all that he did and his faith was strong and inspiring.

Gil loved boating and fishing when his boats worked or he could jump in someone else’s, and devoted much of his recreational time to his life on the water at his cottage on the Albemarle Sound in Edenton NC and his round house on stilts in the quaint fishing town of Suwannee FL.

Raised in AhoskieNC where he graduated from Ahoskie High School, he then spent a year at Wake Forest University. During his first year there, he felt called to serve in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He was stationed in Iceland and served hunting enemy submarines from a Naval Air P2V-5. After completion of his service, Gil returned stateside to marry his beloved, Marianne, and returned to his scholastic studies at Wake Forest University. He then attended and graduated from the Medical College of Virginia, in the area of Hospital Administration. He served his residency at Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

Gil was a long time resident of Baltimore MD where he raised his family in Timonium and served as the President of Church Home and Hospital (CHH) for more than 30 years. Throughout his career, he was recognized for many professional and volunteer achievements.

Through his work at CHH, he was the first in MD to establish dedicated Intensive Care, Hospice and Alzheimer’s Units, and was the first to open a Bloodless Medicine and Surgery Center in the Mid-Atlantic. Additionally, he was the first to inspire and implement the corporate structures necessary for hospitals and doctors to work together in joint ventures. He held numerous membership and leadership positions with the Rotary Club of Baltimore, the American Hospital Association, the Maryland Hospital Association, and Calvary Baptist Church.

After his retirement, Gil and Marianne moved to Suwannee, FL and built a home where the Suwannee River meets the Gulf.  He was happy man.

Memorial Services/Life Celebration will be announced and held at a future date.