Harry Abraham Linkous, III, M.D. Obituary

Mr. Harry Abraham Linkous, III, M.D., 79, of Macon, passed away peacefully at home, Saturday, May 11, 2024, surrounded by his family. 

Dr. Linkous was born in Macon, Georgia on December 27, 1944. He graduated from Lanier High School for Boys in 1963.  He was the son of Harry A. Linkous, Jr. and Marie (Zola) Smith Linkous. 

He was a much beloved Family Practice physician, church member, friend, teacher, mentor, brother, husband, father, uncle and grandfather. He will be remembered by all for his genuine kindness to everyone.

After high school graduation, he proceeded to the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill on a Navy ROTC scholarship (Pre-med) and graduated with an AB Chemistry degree.  While there, he played intramural football, basketball, and track.  He was also on the Navy ROTC Brigade Drill Team (inter-collegiate) and a member of the Semper Fidelis Society. 

At graduation, he was selected “Distinguished Naval Graduate” by the Chief of Naval Operations, U.S. Navy and at the completion of his Aviation Training, was awarded his U.S.N. commission. 

Upon graduation, he proudly entered active duty with the U.S. Navy in Pensacola, Florida, and became a Naval Flight officer, flying in the Atlantic, Europe, the Caribbean and South America. Also, while at Pensacola, he was Academic Instructor for Aerodynamic Aviation Physiology, as well as Navigation Department Head at the Naval Aviation School. 

Upon completion of his naval service, he began working for Carolina Freight Company and after several years, was hired away by Eastman Kodak Company, Chemical Division, as Technical Field Marketing Manager for three years; then Product Supervisor, International Division for six months; then Special Staff Assistant to the President, Eastman Chemical Products, for one year in Kingsport, Tennessee.  While there, he jointly published two articles on Specialty Glycols “NPG” and “TMPD”, Encyclopedia of Technical Clinical Technology, with Dr. Paul Von Bramer in 1978.

All during his time at Eastman, he did biology work at East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee, as well as remaining in the Naval Reserve until his honorable discharge in 1984.

Upon leaving the Navy, he moved his family to Athens, Georgia, and for two years, worked as a Graduate Research Assistant and Instructor in Biology.  It was here he studied for his Phd (ABD) in BioChemistry at the University of Georgia.

Throughout all these years and jobs, Dr. Linkous, a gentle and compassionate soul “ALWAYS”, never lost the desire to become a Family Practice Physician, so while in Athens, he used the time wisely to study for the M-CAT exam and apply for Medical School at the Mercer University School of Medicine in Macon, Georgia.

To his joy, at age 39, in 1987, he was accepted for the second graduating class at Mercer University.  His Internship and Residency for Family Practice was done at the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon, Georgia.  At graduation, he was awarded “Service to the Family of Man” for outstanding performance and service during his three years in medical school at Mercer.  It was then he retired as Flight Surgeon, Georgia Air National Guard from the Academy at Brooks Air Force Base, Texas, as Major. 

During his early medical career, he was Assistant Professor at Mercer School of Medicine, Department of Family Practice; Clinical Preceptor at the Medical College of Georgia, Family Practice, Augusta Georgia.

Dr. Linkous began his private practice in Macon, Georgia in 1990 on Northside Drive and in 2001, opened his solo practice on Forest Hill Road. 

As well as being the Clinical Preceptor for the Medical School of Nursing at the University of South Carolina, he was a member of the Medical Executive Committee, a Chairman of the Department of Family Practice, and Member of the Admissions Committee for two years at the Mercer School of Medicine.   

Dr. Linkous was also a member of the Board of Directors, Secure Health Plans for six years.  He was elected “Family Practice Resident Teacher of the Year” in 1989 and Director of Amedysis Health Care and Vista Care in Macon, Georgia.

His professional memberships include the Georgia Academy of Family Practice, American Medical Association, and the American Academy of Family Practice.

Dr. Linkous was a family man, spending time with his children and friends at his home and in his “self-built” home at Lake Sinclair.  Serving his patients and the friendships he made with them was his GREATEST joy!  He was a very happy man indeed.

He was a member of Mulberry Street United Methodist Church and the Daugherty Sunday School Class as well as being very active in the Hearts and Hammers Group at Mulberry, helping build or repair anything home related for members of the church.

On his one day off each week, he treated the children at the Methodist Home and the Academy for the Blind. This was his gift to the children.

He leaves behind his wife of 26 years, Martha Stanton Linkous; two sons, Christopher H. (Melanie) Linkous of LeCanto, Florida, and Michael P. (Debra Johnson) Linkous of Buford, Georgia; daughter, Katrina  (Duane) Plummer of Chesapeake, Virginia; and step-daughter, Lynn Stimus (Tony) Yarbrough of Perry, Georgia.  Together with Martha, Dr. Linkous has eleven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.  He also leaves behind two sisters, Harriett L. (Terry) Hitchcock of Marion, Virginia, and Dr. Margaret L. (Dr. Tom) McIlwain of Senoia, Georgia.

For the visitation, the family will greet friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, May 20, 2024, at Hart’s at the Cupola.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at Hart’s at the Cupola. Friends, family and patients will certainly be welcomed.   

Dr. Linkous will be buried after the service at Andersonville National Cemetery in Andersonville, Georgia.  Burial will be for family and close friends only.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mulberry Street United Methodist Church, 719 Mulberry St, Macon, GA 31201, the Methodist Home for Children, 304 Pierce Ave, Macon, GA 31204, or to the charity of your choice.

Please visit www.hartsmort.com to express condolences.

Hart’s at the Cupola, Hart's Mortuary and Cremation Center, 6324 Peake Rd, Macon, GA 31210 has charge of the arrangements.