George Thomas Clardy, Sr. and Odelia Vivian Clardy gave birth to twins George Thomas Clardy, Jr. and his twin, John Thomas Clardy. The twins attended Burt High School and went on to attend and graduate from Austin Peay State University. From there, John Thomas (JT) Clardy began teaching biology in Michigan.
He then decided to pursue a medical degree spurred on by the untimely passing of his father, whose death he felt could have been prevented with better medical care.
In 1974, he graduated from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. He did his internship at Albert Einstein Medical Center. He competed his residency at Cabrini Health Care Center, attended NYU for continued medical education courses and board prep, then attended Eastern Virginia Medical School to do his fellowship for nephrology.
In 1978, he started a private practice in downtown Norfolk and another in downtown Newport News.
In the late 1990s, he moved back to his hometown of Clarksville, TN. At that time, he furthered his education at Meharry Medical College, where he earned his Family Practice Specialty. He then went on to become a lead physician at Tennova Healthcare. Simultaneously, he was the head physician at the Dover Medical Clinic.
In 2006, he built an internal medicine practice, which he and his twin operated until 2018. In 2018, Dr. Clardy retired from his illustrious and fruitful medical career after succumbing to dementia, a disease which caused a deterioration of his character and professional relationships. Dr. Clardy spent his prime years saving thousands of lives.
As a gentleman-farmer, his hobbies included bailing hay; herding his hundreds of cows, bulls, pigs, and horses; shopping at the Co-Op on Saturdays with his grandson; and spending time with his beloved German Shepherd, Joey.
Post retirement, Dr. Clardy continued to plant and harvest his crops and care for his livestock. He also enjoyed spending time with family.
In 2021, Dr. Clardy moved to the DC metropolitan area to receive care from his daughter and grandson. From this time until March of 2024, Dr. Clardy spent his time rehabilitating his medical and cognitive issues. During this time, he bonded with his grandson, listened to music, read his Bible and medical journals, and watched The Resident. He also enjoyed riding his stationary bike and walking outdoors.
Dr. Clardy spent his last several months in a private and secluded setting in the Hollywood Hills of California. His days were filled with trips to the Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach, Manhattan Beach, Dockweiler Beach, and sitting on his patio where he made friends with several neighbors who grew to love him—including a secret admirer who left him a beautiful bamboo plant and a caring note.
Dr. Clardy left our world on November 18, 2024 as he slept peacefully in the home he shared with his daughter and grandson.
Dr. Clardy is survived by Judith L. Johnson with whom he was in union; a son, John T. Clardy, Jr.; former spouse, Carolyn Love Clardy, MD; a daughter, Barbara Clardy-Tucker; siblings George T. Clardy, Jr. and Myrna Cooper; granddaughters, Vielka Clardy and Jomaira Clardy; a grandson, Marcus Tucker; two great-grandchildren; cousins; and close friends.