Dr. O. Edwin McClusky

A memorial service for Dr. Oliver Edwin McClusky, 73, of Tyler, will be held on Friday, Oct. 19, 2018, at 3:00 P.M. at Marvin United Methodist Church with Dr. Doug Baker officiating. Stewart Family Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Private burial at Rose Hill cemetery will precede the memorial service. Dr. McClusky passed away Monday, October 15, 2018 at Mother Frances Hospital, where he spent most of his career. He was born September 19, 1945 in Beaumont, TX to Oliver Edison and Edna Earle McClusky. He grew up in Beaumont and graduated from South Park High School. Dr. McClusky attended Texas Christian University on a National Merit Scholarship and was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. After graduating with honors from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, he entered the Air Force in 1968 and completed residency in internal medicine and fellowship in allergy/immunology at Wilford Hall Hospital in San Antonio. In medical school, he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha honorary medical society. During his residency, Dr. McClusky received the distinguished Henry S. Wellcome medal and prize from the Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S. He served in the U.S. Air Force, achieved the rank of Major, and served as Chief of Medicine at Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls, TX from 1974-1976. In 1976, Dr. McClusky left the military and opened his private practice in Tyler. He was active with numerous professional organizations, including Fellow of the American College of Physicians, Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology, Smith County Medical Society, where he served as President in 1983, Texas Medical Association, American Medical Association, JCAHO Professional and Technical Advisory Group for Integrated Delivery Systems, Group Health Association of America, and the Texas Medical Foundation. Dr. McClusky had a passionate interest in improving cost-effectiveness in clinical medicine and forming business-medicine coalitions. He served on the Governor’s Task Force on Health Care Cost Containment, served as Chairman & CEO of Heritage Health Plans, and as Director of the VHA Health Alliance of Texas. He was a leader of Mother Frances Hospital’s quality improvement initiatives and later became the hospital’s V.P. of Medical Affairs. During his 32 years of practicing medicine in Tyler, he served countless patients and was regarded by his peers for his caring and kind manner. He retired from medicine in 2009 and enjoyed time with his family, friends, and dogs. Dr. McClusky was an avid reader and lifelong learner. He enjoyed golf and the Colorado mountains with his family and friends. He loved his Cedar Cover farm and enjoyed the natural beauty of East Texas which first drew him to Tyler. He was a member of Marvin United Methodist Church and has served on the Administrative Board. Dr. McClusky was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver Edison and Edna Earle McClusky. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Junella Grace Jones McClusky; sons, Todd McClusky, Denver, CO, J’son Burnett, Denver, CO; Dr. Derek McClusky, Ruston, LA; grandson, Hayden McClusky, Ruston, LA.; and special cousin, Sherry McClusky Barger, Jasper, TX. Pallbearers will be Jon Young, Dr. Jim Muse, Dr. Tom Lowery, Dr. Douglas Coltman, Ralph Senter, Dr. Larry Spradley, Tommy Stewart, and William Robinson. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Pat Thomas, Dr. Ben Bridges, and Dr. Duane Andrews. If desired, memorials may be made to The Eternal Flame Fund of Marvin United Methodist Church. “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:23.

Dr. O. Edwin McClusky

September 19, 1945 - October 15, 2018