Thaddeus Carmichael Lee, M.D., passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, at the age of 78.
He was preceded in death by his father, Daniel Dixon Lee, Jr.; his mother, Mattie McClemore Lee; and his brothers, Daniel Dixon Lee, III, John Munroe Lee, and Michael Ellis Lee.
He is survived by his wife, Sarah Gilbert; a younger brother, Robert; a sister, Mattie Gay Whitaker; a sister-in-law, Ann; a daughter, Sara; his sons, Daniel, Peter, and Samuel; a special nephew, Tyler Lee; and grandchildren Ryan, Ele, Benton, Catherine, Caden, and Stella.
Thad was born in Dillon, S.C. on May 15, 1944. He was a Senate Page for United
States Senator Strom Thurmond in 1958 and later attended Clemson College before graduating with his Medical Degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in 1971.
He attained the rank of major in the United States Air Force and was the Chief Medical Officer of Incirlik Air Force Base in Turkey where he met his dearest, closest friend, Bill Scruggs, with whom he remained in contact with for the rest of his life.
Thad practiced family medicine in Radford for over 44 years, taking care of patients throughout the New River Valley. During his time in the area, he was known for his empathy, devotion, and passion when talking with and treating his patients.This was best demonstrated through his commitment and attentiveness to his patients’ lives and their health. He would often remain late at the office so that he had enough time with each person.
An avid outdoorsman and Eagle Scout, Thad enjoyed hiking, camping, and bicycling. He was
well known for his love of animals. During his lifetime, he cared endlessly for a number of
horses, cats, and dogs as well as other farm animals and wildlife. He could often be seen in his
yard tending to his bird feeders, always making sure there was extra feed for the squirrels,
chipmunks, and deer.
In the backyard, Thad prepared a small plot of land to serve as a cemetery for all of the animals that passed away while in his care. He said it best: “Animals are God’s creatures, and we are meant to love them as we do each other.”
In his later years, he enjoyed, and may be best remembered for, spending time on his front porch, watching over the community and the animals that he had nurtured and cared for his entire life. He took pleasure in spending his retirement time with his wife, his children, and grandchildren, as well as his three dogs, Buddy, Kadie, and Boe, and his three cats, Godiva, Twinkie, and Callie.
Services will be private and burial will take place in the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery
in Dublin. The Lee family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford.
