Douglas Kenley Armbrister, MD

Marion, Virginia

Douglas Kenley Armbrister, MD passed away in the early hours of August 28th, 2025 at his home in Marion, VA. After 91 years on God’s earth, he went peacefully and on his own terms, like he lived his life.

Douglas was born on February 20th, 1934, to Victor & Lucille Armbrister of Emory, VA where they both taught English, and Victor was the Dean of Emory & Henry College. Douglas grew up on the E&H campus going to grade school in Meadowview VA before attending Emory & Henry College. During his time as a student at Emory & Henry he proved himself a true renaissance man who pursued a degree in science while playing varsity tennis for the Wasps, singing & conducting the Concert Choir, participating in several theatrical productions (his favorite being Gilbert & Sullivan’s HMS PINAFORE), and frequently helping out backstage at the theatre…including re-wiring the lighting system one summer. In 1955 he received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Emory & Henry College. He then attended the University of Virginia medical school where he received a Doctorate in Medicine in 1959 and a Master of Science degree in 1962 and finally doing his residency at UVA as the Chief Surgical Resident in 1966-67.

Upon completion of his training at UVA, he was offered a position on the faculty at the prestigious UVA School of Medicine which he declined and chose to return to rural Southwest Virginia to practice medicine. He opened his practice in Marion, VA and began a 50-year career caring for the people of Marion, Smyth County and beyond at the Smyth County Community Hospital where he also served as the Chief of Surgery. During his career he cared for tens of thousands of patients, sat on numerous medical review boards, was an avid tennis player, and was on the Board of Trustees for Emory & Henry College…where he was instrumental in getting Emory & Henry’s School of Health Sciences established in Marion, VA.

Douglas was a Captain in the United States Air Force stationed at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland; a lifetime member of the American Board of Surgery; a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS)…an honorific title for a surgeon who has undergone rigorous review of their education, training, professional qualifications, and ethical conduct); sang in numerous church choirs; and was a lifetime member of the National Eagle Scout Association.

Douglas was preceded in death by his parents, Victor S. & Lucille B. Armbrister of Emory, VA.

He is survived by his wife,  Barbara A. Armbrister; two daughters, Valerie L. Armbrister & Karen A. Houck; two sons, Victor K. Armbrister & Christopher D. Armbrister & wife, Glenda (his “favorite” daughter-in-law) all of Marion, VA; one stepson, John Phelps & wife, Melanie of Glade Spring, VA; five grandchildren, Rachel, Creed & Henry Evans, Lakyn Levitt, & Billie Houck; four great grandsons, Victor Reinoso, Kenley Levitt, Waylon & Jackson Moore; one sister-in-law, Janet Atwell; one brother-in-law, David Atwell, both of Bristol, VA.

The family will receive friends Sunday, August 31, 2025 from 1 until 2 p.m. at Fraziers’ Seaver-Brown Chapel, 237 East Main Street, Marion VA. Funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. with the Reverend Herman Cress officiating. Interment will follow in Holston Conference Emory & Henry Cemetery, 30461 Garnand Drive, Emory VA with Military Rites conducted by the U.S. Air Force Funeral Honors Guard & Francis Marion V.F.W. Post #4667.

In lieu of flowers Douglas would prefer donations be made to the Victor S. Armbrister Memorial Scholarship at Emory & Henry University online at https://www.emoryhenry.edu/giving/give-online or by mail Office of Philanthropy & Engagement, Emory & Henry, P.O. Box 950, Emory VA 24327 or via phone (877) 220-0342; or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital online at www.stjude.org or by mail, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105 or via phone (800) 805-5856.

To share memories of Douglas Kenley Armbrister, MD please visit www.seaverbrown.com. Care for Douglas has been entrusted to Fraziers’ Seaver-Brown Funeral Service & Crematory, 237 East Main Street, Marion VA 24354.