MULDOON James P. Muldoon M.D., a pioneer in the field of Colorectal Surgery died peacefully on May 30 surrounded by family. He was 86 years old and a resident of Vero Beach Florida at the time of his death. Throughout his personal and professional life Jim was dedicated to serving his family the community and his country with courage compassion and a bighearted sense of humor. His mantra/ Its people not things that matter. and his holistic approach in the practice of medicine inspired his fellow physicians patients and children. A native of Louisville Kentucky Jim was born in 1924 to Philip and Ursula Muldoon the fourth of their seven children. He attended St. Xavier High School graduating in 1942 as Valedictorian. An athlete as well as a scholar Jim was an accomplished tennis player making the Junior Davis Cup Team and an avid basketball player in high school and college where he played on the University of Louisville Cardinals team. During World War II Jim served as a Sergeant in the 68th Signal Air Warning Detachment of the U.S. Army. He participated in D-Day and commanded a radar unit that guided the bombing runs of Allied aircraft over Europe and into Germany often behind enemy lines. He earned five bronze stars for his service. After the war Jim returned to Louisville and resumed his studies at the University of Louisville where he received his medical degree and initial training in surgery. It was also at the University that he met and married Jane Northen his beloved wife of more than 62 years. He went on to specialize in colon and rectal surgery joining the Ferguson Clinic of Grand Rapids Michigan in 1955. He became head of the Clinic in 1979 a position he held until his retirement in 1989. In addition to being a leading authority on colorectal diseases Jim was particularly proud to head Ferguson Clinics residency program training hundreds of surgeons from around the world. In this role he was made a Professor of Surgery with Michigan State Universitys College of Human Medicine. Jim was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons the elected president of the Michigan Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons from 1970-71 the president of the Kent County Medical Society in 1971 and an associate member of the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery from 1976-78. He was selected by the American Cancer Society as one of their national speakers addressing physicians at major medical meetings on colorectal cancer across the United States.Jim was a much sought after public speaker at both medical and non-medical events and a prominent civic leader of Grand Rapids and Western Michigan. He was a master storyteller and loved collecting humorous stories many of which he would employ with great affect in his speeches and presentations. He was affectionately known as the Dean of Women because he and his wife have eight daughters and three sons. In 2000 Jim and Jane moved to Vero Beach Florida. Along with his wife Jane Jim is survived by his sisters Catherine Ernst Mary Heintz Ursula Robertson Margaret Mulligan Patricia Embs and sister-in-law Maxine Muldoon; his eleven children Margaret Muldoon Catherine Chuplis Mary Muldoon (Martin), Patricia Price (Chris), Judith Muldoon (Estella), Elizabeth Schultz (Steve), Bridget McDaniel (Earl), James Muldoon Jr. (Reeta), Thomas Muldoon (Jennifer), Joseph Muldoon (Jill), and Jane Van Houten John); and 34 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.On June 3 the viewing will be held from 2 – 4 p.m., and the vigil and rosary from 7 – 9 p.m. at OBrien Eggebeen Gerst Chapel 3980 Cascade Rd., SE. The funeral mass will be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Roman Catholic Church 1935 Plymouth SE in Grand Rapids Michigan at The interment will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Louisville Kentucky on June 8. The family suggests that memorials may be made to Right To Life of Michigan.
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Dr. M was AWESOME as a child I LOVE to talk to him at The Catholic Central football games. Growing up prior to his moving we would talk local politics and PRO LIFE. He was a TRUE GREAT MAN & Patriot to his country.
I am so sorry I missed his memorial we are going to dedicate a mass @ St. Thomas this summer in his name and DREAMED of what might of been in the Silver-dome had Ted Hollern cross the goal line for the 2 point conversion.
Sergeant Muldoon is a vanishing breed of HERO’s from the greatest generation ever to walk this earth in the GREATEST country.
May he rest in peace.