Dr. F.G. (Tex) Eldridge

Dr. F. G. (Tex) Eldridge, 99, of Valdosta, died on Monday, May 30, 2005. Born in Gainesville, Texas, on September 27, 1905, he was the son of the late Reverend John E. and Irene B. Eldridge. Dr. Eldridge graduated from Matador High School, Matador, Texas in 1924 and received his A.B. and B.S. in 1929 from McMurray University in Abilene, Texas. He graduated from Emory School of Medicine in 1934 and married his wife of 65 years, Henrietta Jefferies Eldridge on August 5, 1934. A veteran of World War II he served in the Civilian Conservation Corps in the U.S. Army from December 1, 1940 until February 12, 1946. Dr. Eldridge had made his home in Valdosta for the past 70 years. He founded Radiology Associates and was the first practicing radiologist in the area having served 7 regional hospitals for 14 years. He was past president of Medical Association of Georgia and an active member of the American Medical Association. He retired in 1975. He served as chairman of the Valdosta City Board of Education for 18 years. He was chairman of the building project at Valdosta Technical College and other schools. He served on the Board of Directors for many civic organizations including Valdosta Federal Savings and Loan and the YMCA. He was member and past president of the Valdosta Rotary Club and was a strong supporter of Valwood School, the Valdosta Symphony and Lowndes/Valdosta Arts Commission. He had practiced medicine since 1937 and golfed until the age of 92. . He was the oldest living member of First United Methodist Church and served on the Board of Stewards and other administrative positions for many years.

Survivors are his sons and their wives, Franklin J. Sr., and Gail Eldridge of Valdosta, John L., Sr. and Ann Eldridge of Valdosta; eight grandchildren, Leslie Eldridge Hoover and her husband, Heyward of Peachtree City, Franklin J. Eldridge Jr. and his wife, Lita of the U.S. Army, Iraq, John L. Eldridge, Jr. and his wife, Amy of Greenville, South Carolina, Julian S. Eldridge of Boulder, Colorado, Eleanor Eldridge Clark and her husband, Parrish, Jefferies Eldridge and his wife, Joy, Mary Clarice Eldridge and Ashley Eldridge all of Valdosta; 6 great grandchildren, Austin Hoover, Julia Hoover, Owen Eldridge, Elizabeth Eldridge, C. J. Eldridge and Hannah Eldridge. Dr. Eldridge was preceded in death by his wife, Henrietta Jefferies (Jeff) Eldridge.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 3, 2005, at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church with Dr. John McGowan and Dr. Charles P. Adams officiating. Interment will be at Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Carson McLane Funeral Home on Thursday evening from 6 – 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of choice or First United Methodist Church. Condolences may be conveyed online at www.mclanefuneralservices.com.




Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602