Dr. Thomas Cary Lewis, of Nashville, Tenn., died peacefully in his sleep after an extended illness Jan. 23, 2021. He was born Dec. 7,1941 in Richmond, Va. He graduated in 1964 Cum Laude with a B.S. in Psychology from Washington and Lee University. Obtaining a Doctorate of Medicine in 1973 from the University of Virginia and completion of Internal Medicine Internship and Residency in 1976, he practiced at Rockbridge Medical/Stonewall Jackson Hospital, Lexington Va., and held the position of Assistant Professor/Instructor of Medicine, Medical College of Virginia in Richmond until 1984. He completed an Anesthesiology Residency in 1986 and became an Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center co-authoring many medical publications. Dr. Lewis practiced at Vanderbilt until his retirement in 2007.

A Veteran, he served in the 58th Medical Battalion, US Army, Vietnam 1966-68; the TN Army National Guard 300th MASH Hospital 1988-98, Desert Storm; Anesthesiologist, 130th Station Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany 1991-92; and ended his military career as a Lieutenant Colonel, US Army Medical Corps, Inactive Reserve.

Tom, as he was known to friends, was very proud of overcoming his addiction to alcohol and remained sober for 28 years. He served on the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Medical Foundation supporting others in their endeavor to do so. He was a voracious reader of many topics from Astronomy to Trains as well as being a HAM radio operator for many years.

Preceded in death by his parents, the Reverend C. Irving Lewis and Nancy Ross Lewis, Survivors include, his wife of more than 29 years, Ester Ann P. Lewis, brothers John (Toni) Lewis and Charles (Jeanne) Lewis, brother-in-law Joe T. Pugh, several cousins, nieces and nephews and dearly loved fur babies Zippy, Frisky and Prissy.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, Tenn., the Alzheimer’s Association or Alcoholics Anonymous.