Augustus Loftus Middleton, M.D. Charleston - Augustus Loftus Middleton, Jr., 90, died peacefully on February 7 in Charleston, SC surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be scheduled at a later date in both Charleston, SC and Jackson, TN due to the COVID pandemic. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Gus's name to Aspell Recovery Center, 110 McCowat Street Jackson, TN 38301. Gus was an adventurer who loved life and lived it with zest. He was highly respected by all those whose lives he touched, personally and professionally. He was a man of fierce conviction and enormous generosity. He was known for his love of language, language often in the form of argument, but so eloquent and articulate that you walked away impressed. He was a proud graduate of Episcopal High School in Alexandria, VA, Princeton University, and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. His children were so often regaled with stories of his prominent classmates, that they wondered who was NOT his classmate. He passed his love of lifelong learning on, not only to his children and grandchildren, but also to those he believed in, inspiring them and sometimes pushing them out of their comfort zone. The most important thing in his life was his family. He valued family above all, and when his children were grown and creating their own families, he made certain to gather them together at the Tennessee River for rides on his beloved pontoon boat, accurately named "The Wanderlust", or in Colorado for a week of snow skiing. He was tenacious in his determination to teach all his children and grandchildren how to water ski and snow ski. He was extremely proud that, at 65, he summitted Mt. Kilimanjaro, he could snow ski- for free!- at age 70, and slalom at age 80. Gus was known by nicknames such as "Gerbil" and "Columbus" identifying him as having an endless source of energy as well as a lust for adventure. He could outlast almost anybody, whether it was raking leaves at the river, hanging Japanese lanterns -in the rain -for the annual Thanksgiving Oyster Roast, or moving furniture amongst his multiple storage units. He made certain to infect his children and grandchildren with the wanderlust bug, inviting them to travel the world with him, and never in a straight line. The more zigs and zags the more exciting it would be! While stationed with the US Coast Guard in Charleston, SC, he met the love and "light of his life", Ann Huxford. They were married for 55 years, spending 50 of those years in Jackson, TN. Gus joined the Pathology Department at Jackson Madison County General Hospital in 1963. In addition to his responsibilities at JMCGH, Gus spent several years on the board of NAACLS (National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science). He was committed to improving the education necessary for those in the clinical laboratory sciences. He devoted his career to bringing innovation and state of the art practices to the medical world and West Tennessee. He was respected as a force in the field of medicine. During their years in Jackson, Gus was instrumental in the founding of Episcopal Day School, a private school founded on the principle that quality education is one that addresses each student individually, a revolutionary idea at the time. He was also a loyal member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church. He taught Sunday School, was a lay Eucharistic Minister, a vestry member, and Senior Warden. His ministry extended to improving addiction recovery. He and Ann both supported and were major contributors to Aspell Recovery Center in Jackson. In retirement, he volunteered his medical services for several missions in Kenya, Nepal, Madagascar, and St. Lucia. He also enjoyed coffee with this "Breakfast Club", and feisty conversations and dinners with his "Foyer Group". He chose to spend his remaining years returning to his birthplace, Charleston. He and Sugah, his loyal Labrador companion, moved into Bishop Gadsden Retirement Center in 2013 where Gus quickly made new friends, and also reacquainted with classmates and relatives. He became involved with the worship services at the Bishop Gadsden Chapel, where he developed a close friendship with Beverlye Edwards. In her, he found his second love. They were married in 2016 and spent many hours sharing stories, entertaining, and always made sure to celebrate sunset at "Wine o'clock". He was beloved by all the staff at Bishop Gadsden who remember him as always having a big smile and a big hug. Gus left an impression on all who met him. He was the epitome of the southern gentleman. His mischievous smile and big bear hugs will be missed by everyone. Gus leaves behind his wife, Beverlye, his daughters, Beth Herbers (Paul), Pam Middleton (Fernan Jaramillo), his sons, Trey Middleton (Alice), Charlie Middleton (Liz), and Robert Middleton (Scarlet), and his grandchildren, Alice Rainka, Margaret Rainka, Sara Jaramillo, Eduardo Jaramillo, Brian Rollison, Brian Cvilikis, Christopher Middleton, and Ashley Middleton, his sister, Lois Middleton Nobles, and his brother, Henry Woodward Middleton, as well as many friends and relatives. He was predeceased by his first wife, Ann Huxford Middleton, and his sisters, Alice Middleton Carroll, and Helen Middleton Smith. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Downtown Chapel. Visit our guestbook at
legacy.com/obituaries/charlestonTo plant trees in memory, please visit our
Sympathy Store.
Published by Charleston Post & Courier from Feb. 12 to Feb. 21, 2021.