Dr. Phil McRae Medford
July 25, 1925 – January 28, 2013
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Dr. Phil Medford, age 87, recently expired after a protracted illness. A native of Waynesville, he was the son of Dr. Nick Medford and Beatrice Owenby and was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred “Mib” Medford, in 2012.
“Dr. Phil” attended Waynesville High School, and graduated from Davidson College in 1944. He completed his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at Emory University in 1948 and returned to Waynesville to practice with his father until 1952 when he enlisted in the Navy dental corps to serve two years at Parris Island, SC. He returned again to Waynesville to practice his profession until 1992.
“Dr. Phil” was an Eagle Scout as a young man and served the Waynesville community in many civic roles which included the local Lions Club where he had perfect attendance. He was a devoted volunteer to the Blue Ridge Parkway, Haywood County Waterways, and the Waynesville Recreation Center. He was most visible as an avid cyclist and was recognized as the oldest male rider to complete the 102-mile Assault on Mt. Mitchell in 1986. A constant companion to his wife, he advocated for the environment, worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life of Waynesville residents, and physically supported the maintenance of the grounds of the Haywood County Library.
Dr. Medford is survived by his daughter, Philan; his son, Houck; his daughter-in-law, Kathy; and brother-in-law, Dr. Al Cline, of Canton. He was a lifetime member of the Waynesville First Methodist Church.
In 2012, the Medford family created the Mib and Phil Medford Endowment Fund to provide for perpetual support of the Town of Waynesville’s aesthetic qualities and recreational assets. Contributions are welcomed in the name of the Fund to the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, P.O. Box 1888, Asheville, NC 28802.