Vardeman Hudson Shoultz

Vardeman Hudson Shoultz, a prominent Abilene physician of 50 years, passed away peacefully on May 13, 2009 V. H. Shoultz, President of the Texas Radiological Society in 1967-68 was born in Chireno, Texas January 31, 1921. He grew up in the area graduating from Grapeland High School in Houston County. He entered Texas Christian University on a scholastic scholarship and graduated three years later. He was offered a scholarship in Physics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, but entered University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston in June, 1941. With the speedup due to the war and year around school, he finished in June of 1944. He took an internship and residency in Radiology at Parkland. He dropped out one year to serve as a small town General Practioner, but returned to Radiology and took his Radiology Board in 1949. He joined the Texas Radiology Society in 1948. At the suggestion of his good friend, Tom Bond, Dr. Shoultz and his wife Jean moved to Abilene where he practiced for awhile with W. V. Ramsey, Sr. He became the Radiologist at the two local hospitals and a Clinic, as well as the State Hospital here and Veterans Hospital in Big Spring. He became the Radiologist for numerous outlying town hospitals including Anson, Coleman, Sweetwater, Snyder, Breckenridge and others. He started a school for Radiology Technologists in 1952 at Hendrick Medical Center. Dr. Shoultz was a delegate to the Republican National Convention representing Texas in the 1950's. In 1956 Hendrick Hospital in Abilene received a grant for a cobalt therapy unit and Dr. Shoultz went to Oak Ridge Institute of Nuclear Studies to become licensed in nuclear medicine by the Atomic Energy Commission. Dr. Wayne V. Ramsey, Jr. joined him as a partner later that year. Together they established a nuclear medicine department at both local hospitals. During those busy years, Dr. Shoultz served briefly as a "guest lecturer" in Radiology at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and reviewed medical books for the Texas Medical Journal. He was active in medical affairs, becoming President of the County Medical Society and Chairman of Hospital Staffs. He was nominated for Fellowship in the College in 1959 by Dr. Tom Bond. During these years, Dr. Jack Ramsey joined the group. Later others came in to handle the increasing work load and complexity of the practice. Dr. Shoultz remained head of the Radiology Section at Hendrick Medical Center from its inception until his retirement. Most of that time he was Department Head as well. He received the valued Gold Headed Cane Award of the Taylor Jones Haskell County Medical Society in 1980. From his group there came three Presidents of the Texas Radiology Society; Dr. Shoultz, Dr. W. V. Ramsey, Jr. and Dr. Dale Brannom. Dr. Shoultz had outside interest in hunting, ranching, aviation and investments. He became a pilot to cover wide territories while practicing alone and remained one for thirty-five years. He made investments for retirement plans, numerous Trusts and for himself and family. He was the second Chairman of the Foundation at Hendrick Medical Center. He retired in 1996. At his retirement, Hendrick Medical Center named a large multispeciality Professional Building after him. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jean Abbott Shoultz; his sons, William Hudson Shoultz and Vardeman "Bart" Wayne Shoultz and wife Monica; daughters, Gretchen Shoultz and partner, Patty Belcher; and Annchen Lawrence and husband, Kim; grandchildren, Tonya Harlow, Matthew Lawrence, Susanna Lawrence and Jackson Shoultz; and numerous great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, Rev. Jack W. Shoultz and wife, Gene, and several nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all those whose lives he touched. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 16th, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene, with Rev. Caro Russell and Rev. Derrell Patterson officiating. Interment will follow in Seaton Cemetery in Callahan County. The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 209 S. Danville, Bldg, B, Ste 107, Abilene, Texas 79605.