Joe Nettles, M.D. (NS ’66, OR ’69)

Dr. Joe Lee Nettles, 83, died on April 6, 2017. He was born in Monroeville, Alabama where he grew up with three brothers David, Clay, and Bert and met the love of his life, Sarah Katherine Quinn, to whom he was married for fifty-four years. He graduated from Baylor University and the University of Alabama Medical School, where he was trained as an orthopedic surgeon. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force and served as a volunteer with the Red Cross in Vietnam in 1968.

After completing his residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota in 1969, he and his young family moved to Savannah where he practiced with his partners at Orthopedic Associates until his retirement in 2001. He was active in the American Medical Association and the Medical Association of Georgia for which he served as president in 1989-1990.

He developed a passion for distance running in his 40’s and over the years became a fixture in the local running community, completing nearly 100 marathons all over the world. Dr. Joe was an inspiration to countless runners and was honored to have carried the Olympic torch through Savannah in 1996.

His family was the center of his life. He and Sarah cherished their son, three daughters and 11 grandchildren. Some of his happiest days were spent with family at his Tybee beach house where he lived his last years.

He is survived by his daughters Sally Nettles Wolfe (Victor) of Lyons, Georgia, Temple Nettles Morrow (Jordon) of Savannah, Blanche Nettles Powers (Andy) of Savannah and his son, Joe Lee Nettles Jr. of Jacksonville, Florida, grandchildren Joseph, Sarah, Andrew, John Victor, Margaret and Benjamin Wolfe, Katherine and Clay Morrow, Andrew, Matthew and Samuel Powers, and brothers Clay Nettles of Chevy Chase, Maryland and Bert Nettles of Birmingham, Alabama.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, April 10, 2017 at Isle of Hope United Methodist Church, where he has been a member since 1969, with visitation following at the church.