Dr. James Shuffield entered this world March 1, 1920, and left it a better place Monday, June 29, 2009.
Jim Shuffield was raised and schooled in Arkansas, where he graduated from the University of Arkansas Medical School in 1948. He was an orthopedic resident at Oschner Foundation Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana and at the State Hospital for Crippled Children in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. Afterward, he returned to Little Rock, Arkansas where he practiced for several years. In 1957, fellow resident and lifelong friend, Dr. Scott Wallace, persuaded Jim to move his family to Beaumont, Texas and become partners. Their long association ultimately led to the founding of the Beaumont Bone and Joint Institute.
Fascinated by sports injuries and wanting to be of service to athletes, Dr. Shuffield spent thousands of hours over multiple decades working with the athletic department of Lamar University. He was instrumental in the Texas Medical Association Committee on Athletics, serving nine years on the Committee, including three years as Chair. He was a founding member of the Texas Board of Athletic Trainers in 1971 and was a past President of the Texas Society of Athletic Team Physicians. His visionary approach to the treatment and rehabilitation of sports injuries improved the lives of scores of Lamar athletes but also presaged the modern practice of sports medicine.
As a doctor, Jim Shuffield was a consummate professional. Possessed of great vigor and vitality, he burst off the elevator to make his rounds early every morning so that he would be on time for his office patients. He was always there to take call if needed and his loyalty and helpfulness to his partners and patients was legendary. One patient, who suffered a serious leg injury from a motorcycle accident, begged Dr. Shuffield to save her leg despite the terrible nature of the injury. He did and for years thereafter she would walk freely into the office with a gift of thanks.
Dr. Jim Shuffield was loving, generous, and compassionate but without fanfare or publicity. His thoughtful gestures will be remembered by all. He had a strong moral compass and believed in doing the right thing. His chief weakness was a fondness of Nashville peaches, especially Elberta peaches and Shack’s barbeque in Little Rock.
Dr. Jim Shuffield leaves our community a much better place for his presence. He was a fine doctor, a loyal and good friend, and a great father and husband. He knew the joy of helping others but also knew the grief of losing loved ones, including Elisabeth Ann Shuffield and Jo Alexander Shuffield.
He is survived by his caring wife Eleanor Shuffield; three children, Dr. James W. Shuffield of Vashon Island, Washington, Hon. Milton Gunn Shuffield, and Ann Kimbrough Shuffield Johnson, both of Beaumont; and numerous grandchildren and extended family.
The family would also like to thank all his physicians and nurses for their assistance in his final years. Memorial contributions may be made to the organization of choice.
His life will be celebrated 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 1, 2009, at Trinity United Methodist Church with visitation to follow in the McKnight Parlor at the church, a private family committal will follow, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. Serving as pallbearers will be Dr. Scott Wallace, Dr. Jack McNeill, Dr. Dave Allen, Ken Ruddy, Dewey Gonsoulin, Paul Zeek, and Paul Cunningham. Honorary pallbearers will be his friends and all physicians and staff of Beaumont Bone and Joint.
