Dr. James E. Hamner, III, age 88 years, died peacefully at home after a long illness surrounded by his family. He received his BS degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and DDS degree from the University of Tennessee, Memphis and was also a member of the University golf and track teams. He earned his MS from the Medical College of Virginia and his PhD (in pathology) from Georgetown University as well as an MBA (in Health Science Administration) from Loyola University (Baltimore), and an Honorary MD by Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical School in India.
Dr. Hamner served with distinction first in the Navy, assigned to the Marines in Asia, where he was promoted to Captain. He retired from the Public Health Service so he could pursue his interest in cancer research. His numerous medals and citations included the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and Commendation Medal.
An internationally renowned pathologist, an author of numerous scientific books and articles, Dr. Hamner served for many years at the National Institutes of Health in Washington, DC, including Associate Director of the National Cancer Institute. Following his retirement from NIH in 1979, he served as a special assistant to then Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare Joseph Califano. He then returned to his childhood home in Memphis to serve as Executive Assistant to the Chancellor of the University of Tennessee Center for the Health Sciences, Vice Chancellor of the UT Medical Center Special and International Programs, and Professor in the Department of Pathology of the UT Medical School. For over thirty years, Dr. Hamner directed a large oral cancer project in coordination with WHO, the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in India, and NIH. He was also part of a collaborative team of American and Russian physicians researching breast cancer. Dr. Hamner had a lifelong interest in genealogy, was former President of the Sons of the American Revolution, and won the Shelby County Historical Award for his editorship of the 75th anniversary book for the UT Center for the Health Sciences. He moved to Sewanee in 1994 with his wife, Catherine, and co-founded the St. Theresa’s Outreach Ministry which served the community and those in need from 2002 through 2012. He is survived by his wife Catherine, two sons, the Rev. Dr. James E. Hamner, IV, and Dr. H. Wentzell Hamner, and their wives Cindy and Marsha; 11 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandson.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at the Chapel of the Apostles, University of the South in Sewanee. A graveside service will be held at a later date at University Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or the charity of one’s choice.
Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, (931)-967-2222
