Dr. Kenneth Dale Sellers

Dr. Kenneth Dale Sellers

Dr. Kenneth Dale Sellers, 73, of Germantown, Tennessee and formerly of Blytheville, passed away on September 8, 2017. Born on August 21, 1944, in Ironton, Mo., he grew up in Caruthersville, Mo., where he later starred academically and athletically in football, basketball, track, and baseball at Caruthersville High School.

He attended the University of Missouri in Columbia before completing medical school and residency at the University of Tennessee School of Medicine in Memphis, Tenn. While in Memphis, he helped design one of the country's first true urban trauma centers which later became known as The Med. It was during this time that he also developed his passion for organ donation and transplantation.

He and his family moved to Blytheville in 1979, where opened a private general surgery practice. In 1992, he moved back to the Memphis area to follow his passion for medicine and education. He worked as a professor at the University of Tennessee, where he was a beloved teacher and mentor, until retiring in 2010. Following retirement, he remained active in his role as the medical director for the Mid-South Transplant Foundation until 2015, where he was an avid proponent for the benefits of organ donation and transplant education.

Dr. Sellers was a veteran of the Vietnam War, having served as a Captain in the U.S. Army as a combat medic from 1969 to 1971. During his service, he was awarded the Bronze Star Army Commendation Medal.

A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, he is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of over 51 years, Norma Avis Sellers of Germantown; two children, Kristen Sellers of Germantown, Tenn. and Todd Sellers (Heather), of Eads, Tenn.; four grandchildren, Abby Sellers, Reese Sellers, Grayson Sellers and Josh Sellers, all of Eads, Tenn.

Dr. Sellers was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth Lee and Norma Sellers, formerly of Blytheville; and granddaughter, Callahan Grace Sellers.

His life will be celebrated on Saturday, September 16, with a visitation from 1 p.m. until the funeral service begins at 2 p.m., at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens of Bartlett, Tennessee. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations be made to the Mid-South Transplant Foundation at 8001 Centerview Parkway, Suite 302 Cordova, Tenn. 38018 or 1-877-228-5433