Judson Clemments Filler died Monday, April 20, 2020, at the age of 91. He is known by many throughout the areas of Sand Mountain, Lookout Mountain and Trenton, Georgia as their physician and friend. He practiced personalized family medicine for over 50 years in the tri-state area. He had his own style, his own pace and a deep love for the practice of medicine. He was a humble man with a great work ethic. He was known to help all regardless of circumstances.
Following graduation from the Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1964, he completed a family practice residency in York, Pennsylvania, and moved his family to Sand Mountain, sharing a practice with Dr. Roscoe E. Ownbey, his father-in-law, an early physician pioneer. Several years later he also began seeing patients in the Trenton Professional Center. Born in Indiana, Pennsylvania, in 1928, Doctor Filler grew up in the small mining town of Creekside, Pennsylvania. He attended high school there and college in Collegedale, Tennessee, at Southern Missionary College, where he met Carlene Ownbey, who would become his wife in 1952. Over the course of the next few years as they educated themselves and Jud served in the Army, they lived in Orlando, Florida, Mountain View, California, Washington D.C., Kansas City, Missouri and York, Pennsylvania, before settling down on Sand Mountain. While in the Army, Jud served in the famous “White Coats,” a group made up largely of volunteer conscientious objectors who participated in biological research (see Wikipedia “Operation Whitecoat”). Jud and Carlene lived and were involved in the Sand Mountain/Trenton community their entire working careers and beyond. He had a special love for their churches, Ownbey Chapel in Ider and Floral Crest in Bryant, and the local church school their children attended, Floral Crest in Bryant. Besides his work as a physician, there were several things that Dr. Filler particularly enjoyed in life. First and foremost, he loved planting, tending and harvesting his large garden and watching things grow, even on the hottest of days. Friends and patients knew he could often be found there when not in his office. Carlene knew that fresh garden food was his favorite – especially corn on the cob.
Although he loved vegetables from the garden, he also seemed to require a frequent and regular supply of fast food French fries as well. No hamburger, just the fries. Having grown up in Pennsylvania, he loved snow, more than almost anyone you would meet. Driving during a rare Georgia snow day was pure fun and, despite Carlene and his children worrying about slippery conditions, he was off to explore hill and hollow. A freshly mown lawn, bush-hogged field, and well-maintained yard were high on his list of priorities. Not always achieved, but always desired. Lastly, he loved history, historical buildings and museums. Judson C. Filler is survived by his wife of almost 68 years, Carlene Ownbey Filler; sister Martha Webb, Lompoc, Calif.; son, Steven Judson Filler (Kay Keenan Filler), Birmingham, Ala.; daughters, Cynthia Filler Vann (Thomas Vann) of Bryant, Karen Marie Filler of Harrison, Tenn., and Melissa Michelle Filler of Trenton. Grandchildren include Harrison Filler, Tyler Williams, Vladimir Purdey, Ilya Purdey and Andie Purdey.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Elder Clem Filler and Flora May Caylor Filler, brother, Calvin Filler, and sisters Gwenda Brown, Betty Clark, Jean Snyder and Phyllis Ray Barber. It is unfortunate that Dr. Filler’s death would come at a time when a viral disease is threatening our world. Because of COVID-19 there will not be a visitation or public funeral. As a physician well acquainted with infectious diseases, it is certain this would be his wish as well. Above all else he would, as he did in life, wish to continue to protect the health of his friends, patients and loved ones.
Instead, you are invited to recount fond memories and share them on the Moore Funeral Home tribute page. At an appropriate time in the future, a memorial is planned. We welcome fond remembrances and your prayers. Condolences can also be sent to: Carlene Filler c/o LifeCare of Ooltewah Center 5911 Snow Hill Road Ooltewah, TN 37363 The Family of Dr. Judson C. Filler
