George Dantzler Page
June 17, 2017
Dr. George Dantzler Page, 98, died at the Stewart Health Center on June 17, 2017. He was born October 19, 1918 to Anne Dantzler Page and Dr. Samuel Watson Page in Greenwood, SC. He had one brother, Dr. Samuel Watson Page, Jr. who with his parents predeceased him. George was married to Sarah Curry Page, 99, who currently resides at the Stewart Health Center. She was the love of his life. They were friends since grammar school, married just short of 75 years and shared an uncommon devotion to each other.
After graduating from Clemson University and Emory University School of Medicine, Dr. Page served in WWII, stationed in Okinawa, Japan. For his extraordinary efforts, there he was awarded the Soldier’s Medal for heroism. This is the US Army’s highest non-combat honor. At the end of the war he received an honorable discharge as a Major.
After the war, he moved his family to Charlotte where he was a beloved general surgeon until his retirement in 1985. He earned the designation of Fellow in the American College of Surgeons and was a member of the American Board of Surgeons. In the years before Medicare and Medicaid, financial means or race were never a determining factor in whom he served. In his later years, he often lamented how medicine had changed and the patient relationship had diminished from the days he practiced. Many times, at mealtime or the middle of the night he quickly raced to the hospital to serve someone injured or critically ill. He also took great pleasure working with doctors in residency training at Memorial Hospital (CMC).
Church was always important. Upon moving to Charlotte, the Page family joined Myers Park Baptist Church. Dr. Page was honored as Life Deacon for his work over many years. A son, Bruce, was ordained into the ministry at that church. In his early retirement years during a search for a new minister at Myers Park Baptist Church, Dr. and Mrs. Page began visiting Myers Park Presbyterian Church where their son, Dan and his wife are members. They eventually joined that church and remained there until his death.
Dr. Page’s hobby was gardening. This continued even after he moved to the Cypress. His roses and tomatoes were exquisite. He was a long-time member of the Charlotte Rotary Club and The Good Fellows Club. He was a past member of the Myers Park Country Club and the Charlotte Country Club where he enjoyed playing tennis.
Dr. Page is survived by his wife, Sarah Curry Page; sons, G. Dan Page, Jr. and his wife, Anne, and Bruce Curry Page and his wife, Susan; grandchildren, David Page and wife Shelly, Elisabeth Masters and husband Craig, Dr. Lukas Austin-Page, Brandon Pracht and wife, Susan, Melissa Pracht and husband, Ken Wohlrob. There are also six great grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank all of those who provided compassionate care at the Stewart Health Center and from Hospice. A special thanks is due to the Page’s loyal companion and caregiver for 35 years, Willette Digsby. In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care, Charlotte Region, 1420 E. 7th St., Charlotte 28204; Myers Park Presbyterian Church, 2501 Oxford Place, Charlotte 28207; or Myers Park Baptist Church 1900 Queens Road, Charlotte 28207.
A memorial service will be held in the Community Hall of The Cypress of Charlotte at 2:30 PM on July 2, 2017 with a visitation to follow.
Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth Poe Funeral & Cremation Services, 1321 Berkeley Ave Charlotte NC 28204. Online condolences at www.kennethpoeservices.com Phone: 704 641-7606
Comments
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A very nice tribute to a great man.
Compassionate & Devoted to all
A true gentleman , it was an honor to know
him while employed at Stewart Health Center. & Cypress of Charlotte. -
I only came to know Dr. Page in the past year because my Mother is in the Stewart Health Center, but we immediately struck up a friendship and i so enjoyed talking with him whenever I came to visit my Mother. We had a love of gardening in common but his first love was always his wife. I was so saddened to learn he had passed away but I am certain the Lord has much important work for him to do in his eternal life with Christ. My condolences to his family.
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Such a Gentle man. It was an honor to work with him as a nurse in the OR at Presbyterian Hospital. He cared for my little mom also. Tommy helped get his power restored during Hugo. Fond memories of a wonderful colleague. Love and sympathy to the family.
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When I thought about writing about Dr. Page, many elaborate expressions came to my mind, but he would not want elaborate praise. When my mother died in 2010, I expressed appreciation for his skillful, compassionate care of her. Skillful, compassionate care is what was emphasized in the June 20 obituary of Dr. Page. He obtained his skills in medical school and in his distinguished military career. Communication with the patient was a primary goal of his.
When I was born, the attending physician used poor judgment in the difficult delivery. For five years, my mother suffered increasing level of infection until she was near death with sepsis. With God’s help, Dr. Page and his partner Dr. Francis Martin performed a successful ileostomy in 1950. The treatment was revolutionary at the time, but it worked and allowed my mother to live a rewarding, productive life. She lived to be 84 years old. She was a treasure to me, my father, and the rest of her family. My parents had to ask repeatedly for a bill, and were finally presented with a very small one.
Dr. Page treated other members of my mother’s family—her husband, her sister, and her brother in law. In our family, his name will be revered for years to come. He treated my mother several times after 1950 because the original sepsis damaged her stomach and intestines. He counseled her with compassion and humor through her difficult recoveries.
(I was told that Drs. Martin and Page made a conference presentation about my mother’s case. I have tried without success to get a copy, or some documentation, of that presentation. If anyone who reads this could help me, I would appreciate your assistance . Her treatment was at Mercy Hospital.) -
It is so sad to hear the news of Dr. Page. Sending sincere prayers and sympathy to the family.
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Dr. Page was genuinely one of the nicest "true Southern gentleman" and caring doctor that I have had the pleasure to know. Right out of college, I worked for him in the Metroview Bldg. along with Jeanette Simmons, great memories. My sympathy and prayers to his family.
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