Dr. Preston Pennington Nunnelley, a cherished husband, father, grandfather, physician, and friend to many, passed away while surrounded by his loving family on April 15th, three hours shy of his 83rd birthday. He was born on April 16, 1942, at home, in Mt. Vernon, Kentucky.
It was as a freshman at UK that he met and married his wife of almost 64 years, Clarrissa Lucille Nunnelley. Together, they welcomed four sons who completed their family: Preston Todd Nunnelley (deceased), Richard Adair (Suzanne) Nunnelley, Ryan Scott (Angie) Nunnelley, and Matthew Barton Nunnelley. Preston is survived by six adored grandchildren: Wyatt Preston Rice Nunnelley, Dr. Kaitlyn Leigh Nunnelley, Caroline Adair Nunnelley, Ryan Scott Connor Nunnelley, Lucy Quinn Nunnelley, and John Barton Pierce Nunnelley.
Preston was the first, adored child born to Geraldine Mayo Fairchild Nunnelley and Robert Preston Nunnelley. He was blessed to have a brother, James Barton (Sandy) Nunnelley (deceased) and an adored sister, Jerri Lynn Nunnelley Smith (Keith). Family was all-important to him. His cousins, Bill Carman (Maureen) John Carman (Elaine); nieces, Heather Shuvalov (Kevin) Shannon Vrba (Don) Dana Dahmann (Gage), and nephews, Kent Smith (Ashley) Clay Smith, survive him.
Preston was accepted to the University of Kentucky Medical School in 1966 and completed his studies there in 1970. While there, he was mentored by many wonderful professors and heads of departments. He won the Louise McHenry award for excellence in OB/GYN and earned his Doctor of Medicine Degree in 1970. He went on to become a medical resident in OB/GYN at UK from 1971-1974. While studying to become an OB/GYN, Preston also served as a Major in the KY, US Army Reserve National Guard. After completing his residency, Preston accepted a partnership in the practice of Dr. William Ellis and Dr. Van Jenkins. When Preston retired from his practice, it was the largest OB/GYN practice in KY.
He retired from his practice of over 40 years and decades of leadership in medicine and hospital administration as Chief Medical Officer for what was then Central Baptist Hospital. He was appointed to the medical staff at Baptist in 1974 and went on to deliver thousands of babies during his career.
In the interim, Dr. Nunnelley served as president of what was then the Fayette County Medical Society, President of the Kentucky Medical Association, president of the Board of Medical Licensure and a Delegate to the American Medical Association. He was also a member of the KMA Board of Trustees and served on many other boards and committees. He received the Distinguished Alumnus Award presented by the UK Medical Alumni Association and was a Distinguished Alumni Award recipient from EKU. Dr. Nunnelley was most proud of having helped patients to have a better life. The babies that he delivered, and the management of women’s health made him extremely proud.
Visitation for Dr. Nunnelley will take place on Thursday, May 1st at Crestwood Christian Church located at 1882 Bellefonte Drive, Lexington, Kentucky 40503 from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm. The funeral service will begin at 1:00 pm with interment to follow in Lexington Cemetery.
Honorary Pall Bearers are Ralph Hacker, Joe Terry, Rob McGoodwin, Dr. Glenn Moore, Dr. Sidney Hopkins, and Dr. Len Morrow.
The family requests that you consider a donation in the name of Dr. Nunnelley to the Preston P. Nunnelley Endowment Scholarship Fund that he started 30 years ago. You can mail contributions to:
UK College of Medicine, Preston P. Nunnelley Endowment Scholarship Fund, PO Box 910628, Lexington, KY 40591
To share a remembrance of Dr. Nunnelley or to offer condolences to his family, please visit milwardfuneral.com to sign the tribute portion of his obituary page.
