SAVANNAH, GEORGIA - James Andrew Pettigrew, 85, of Savannah, Georgia, widower of Dora Jane Hensley Pettigrew, died Tuesday evening, January 19, 2010, at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

He was born March16, 1924 in Ivanhoe VA.  He graduated from the University of Virginia and University of Virginia  Medical  School in 1945. He completed his internship at Grady Hospital in Atlanta, and then served as a flight surgeon in the Air Force during the Korean War. He completed his neurosurgery training at The Oschner Foundation in New Orleans. He then served as the Chief of Neurosurgery at Scott and White Clinic in Temple, TX until 1972, when he moved to Bristol, TN. In Bristol, he was highly respected and his reputation as an extraordinarily dedicated surgeon was well known. 

He served many years as the only neurosurgeon in the area and saved many lives. He remained in private practice until his retirement in 1991. He has resided in Savannah for the past seven years.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 54 years Dora Hensley Pettigrew. He is survived by his four sons: Lt. Col. J. Andrew Pettigrew of Chantilly, VA, W. Robert Pettigrew II,D.D.S. of Savannah, P. Joseph Pettigrew of New Orleans, and F. Chris Pettigrew, M.D. of Savannah,  his daughters in law: Cindy H. Pettigrew and Carmela A. Pettigrew, M.D. and his five grandchildren: Lindsay, Avery, Harrison, Charley, and Jack.

He was a simple man who loved music and crossword puzzles. He was known for his honesty, altruism, and brilliance. He was loved very much and will be truly missed.

The funeral service was held at 10 o'clock Thursday morning at the graveside, Greenwich section of Bonaventure Cemetery, conducted by The Reverend Jeremiah J. McCarthy.