James (Jimmy) Rothwell Noonan, B.A., B.S., M.A., M.D., FACP, 81, of Dyersburg, TN, died unexpectedly on October 13, 2013 in Nashville, TN. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Anne Thompson Noonan, their four children: James (Spike) Reece Noonan (Dana) of Nashville, TN, Sallye Noonan O'Rourke (Chris) of Knoxville, TN, Debbie Noonan Henson (Don) of Knoxville, TN, and Timothy Scott Noonan (Jennifer) of Nashville, TN, and ten grandchildren: Katelyn, Jamie, Reece, Anne Ray, Mollye, Ellie, Tom, Tanner, John and Emma. He is also survived by his sister, Ardis Noonan Phillips, and his brother, Gordon Dean Noonan.

Jimmy was a Christian, Bible scholar, physician, teacher, civic leader, swimmer and pioneer in the health and fitness movement.

Jimmy was born on December 13, 1931 in Jackson, TN to John James Melton Noonan and Martha Williams Noonan and moved with his family to Dyersburg, TN in second grade. He attended Castle Heights Military Academy in Lebanon, TN where he wrestled and earned the Annual Physics Award for the highest grade. Upon graduation from Castle Heights in 1949, Jimmy began his higher education in premedicine at Emory University in Atlanta, GA where he swam on Emory's swim team. Jimmy earned a B.A. in Bible and General Sciences from Harding University in Searcy, AR in 1952, followed by a M.A. in New Testament from Harding University in 1953. In 1955, he earned a B.S. in Education from Bethel College in McKenzie, TN.

Jimmy met Anne in 1952 and they were married on October 18, 1954. During this period, Jimmy taught Eighth Grade in Dyer County, TN and preached at several Churches of Christ in Dyer and Obion Counties, including the Cat Corner Church of Christ.

At the conclusion of the Korean War, Jimmy received word that his Army draft notice was in the mail. Not an Army man, he promptly applied for the United States Navy Officer Candidate School in 1955. He graduated Officer Candidate School in Newport, R.I., Air Ground Officer School in Jacksonville, FL, Air Intelligence School in Alameda, CA, and Naval Air and Special Weapons School in Coronado, CA. From 1956 to 1958, Jimmy was a Naval Air Intelligence Officer for Electronic Countermeasures Squadron One (VQ1 ECMRON ONE) stationed at Iwakuni, Japan. He ultimately achieved the rank of Lieutenant, received a Letter of Commendation from the Commanding Officer at Naval Air Station (Memphis) and was honorably discharged in 1961.

Upon his return to Tennessee, Jimmy pursued his goal of becoming a physician and graduated Valedictorian from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine at Memphis in 1964. Jimmy completed his internship at US Public Health Service Hospital in New Orleans, where he was named Outstanding Intern. He started his residency in Internal Medicine in New Orleans and completed his residency at the VA Hospital in Memphis in 1968.

Jimmy was the first internist to practice in Dyer County, TN when he joined the medical staff of Parkview Hospital in 1968. In 1975, Jimmy founded the Internal Medicine Clinic of Dyersburg, P.C. with Drs. Smith, Haynes, Green, and Reynolds. This clinic later became known as the multi-specialty group MedSouth Healthcare, P.C. with offices throughout West Tennessee. Throughout his medical career, Jimmy's entire private medical practice was focused on the citizens of Dyer County.

In 1999, Jimmy retired from the active practice of medicine and shortly thereafter started a part-time job with the State of Tennessee Department of Health as a Health Officer for Dyer, Gibson and Crockett Counties. He was later recruited by Methodist Hospital of Dyersburg to serve as a part-time Medical Director of Quality Improvement. After the hospital was acquired by Community Health Systems, he remained in this position until his death.

Jimmy was an active member of the Parr Avenue Church of Christ and enjoyed teaching Bible classes.

Since 1979, Jimmy participated in US Masters Swimming competitions and the Tennessee Senior Olympics in swimming and race-walking events. In 1991, a high-water mark year, he won nine gold medals. He has also held State of Tennessee age-group records in backstroke events.

Jimmy's civic contributions were numerous. He was perhaps most proud of promoting physical fitness and a healthy life style. In 1978, he started Dr. Noonan's Boys Track and Swim Team and encouraged Dr. Shore to establish a counterpart girls team. The combined team has survived for 35 years as the Dyersburg Dolphin Swim Team. He also proposed the idea of the one mile fitness trail at Okeena Park to the Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class, which ultimately made the widely used track possible.

In 1969, he led a successful community drive to establish the first Coronary Care Unit at Parkview Hospital. He served as the President of the West Tennessee Heart Association and was active on the boards of the Dyer County Heart Association and the Lifeline Blood Program. He served as the Chief of Staff and as a Board Member of Methodist Hospital and was President of the Northwest Tennessee Academy of Medicine. He was a founder and served on the Board and Executive Committee of the YMCA of Dyer County.

One of his regrets was his unsuccessful attempt over 30 years to effectively stimulate enough civic momentum to secure an indoor aquatic center for the citizens of Dyersburg and Dyer County. At his death, he was reportedly still working on it.

The family requests that memorials be made to the organization of the donor's choice.

Dyersburg Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive visitors Thursday evening 6 - 8 p.m. at Dyersburg Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Friday at the Parr Avenue Church of Christ conducted by Bro. Scott Owen. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. For information and condolences: www.dyersburgfuneralhome.net