Former Franklin mayor, longtime surgeon dies
Former Franklin Mayor Dr. Jeff Bethurum, who was also a popular and successful surgeon in the city for nearly 50 years, died Sunday.
On Tuesday, as news of Bethurum’s death reached residents, various friends and former colleagues offered tributes, including officials with the City of Franklin. People called the former mayor a “trusted colleague, friend, and advisor” who made “essential contributions to making Franklin a wonderful place to live.”
Bethurum, 79, was Franklin mayor from 1977 to 1987. He also served on the city planning commission during those years. To honor his community commitment, Oct. 26 was officially declared as “Dr. Jeff Bethurum Day.”
Visitation will be Wednesday, June 7 from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Williamson Memorial Funeral Home.
The funeral service will be Thursday, June 8 at 11 am at Franklin First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery.
'Loved every single one of his patients'
Bethurum served on the medical staff at Williamson Medical Center for 47 years as a vascular and general surgeon. He was hospital’s chief of staff for nine years, chief of surgery for eight years, and was on the hospital’s board of trustees for 37 years.
The obituary for Bethurum states that he “loved every single one of his patients and dedicated his life to their care. He earned The Patient’s Choice Awards in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2014. He was named physician of the year in 1991.
Bethurum continued to practice until he officially retired last year.
Bethurum was born in Franklin in 1943. He grew graduated from Battle Ground Academy in the Class of 1961 before receiving his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University. During these years, he developed an interest in a medical career while working as an office and surgical assistant to Dr. Harry Guffee. He went on to receive his medical education from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, graduating in 1968.
Away from work, Bethurum had a pilot’s license. He also was a motorcycle rider and loved hunting. One of his prized traditions for nearly 40 years was an annual hunting trip to Kimball, South Dakota, with his sons and a group of beloved friends, according to his obituary.
Bethurum is survived by his wife, Amy Bethurum; his children, Alva Jefferson Bethurum, Jr. and fiancé Summer Shore, John Bethurum, and Carothers Bethurum; and his nephew, Billy Bethurum.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: 'Trusted colleague': Former friends and peers remember Jeff Bethurum
