Dr. L. Guy Chelton Jr.

L. Guy Chelton, Jr, MD MSc It is with heavy hearts that our family announces the passing of Dr. Guy Chelton, a cherished husband and loving father, on June 17, 2026, at the age of 101. Born May 14, 1925, in Baltimore, MD, he was the son of Louis Guy Chelton and Anna B Chelton, a Scottish immigrant. He began working at a very early age helping his father to support the family during the Great Depression by working as a street vendor selling produce and eventually working at the electrical contracting company his father established. Because of the nature of this business, electrifying Baltimore, the family moved frequently as each section of the city was completed. Consequently, Guy changed schools frequently. This disruption of his early education reinforced his ability to develop new relationships as he worked to complete his studies. He attended Springfield College and then premed at Gettysburg College. His college was interrupted by World War II when he was drafted and served in the Navy until his discharge in May of 1946. Guy began medical school at the University of Maryland graduating summa cum laude and first in his class, winning the University’s prized Gold Medal. He was well thought of and many of his classmates shared how kind he was to many of them helping with their studies. He completed an internship at the US Marine Hospital in Baltimore and decided to pursue an Internal Medicine and Endocrinology fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Prior to the fellowship beginning he worked as a coal mine doctor in Coal Fork, WV where he served as a physician to the miners and their families. This experience left him with a lasting impression which he valued throughout his life. He was thrilled to be educated at the Mayo Clinic and valued his training as well as his immersion in the caring patient centered philosophy which remains today. His post graduate courses included Psychoanalytic Theory at the Chicago Institute of Psychoanalysis, and he hosted an international Self Psychology meeting in Atlanta. After completing his fellowship in 1955 Guy was ready to begin his private practice and was attracted to the warm weather in Atlanta, GA. He and a colleague set up one of the first internal medicine and endocrinology specialty practices in Atlanta. He served as an Associate Clinical Professor at the Emory Clinic School of Medicine and for the next ten years was involved in treating patients and consulting in his area of expertise with other physicians. Due to his clinical excellence and leadership skills, he gradually began more administrative roles and became Medical Director and Chairman of the Board of a large psychiatric hospital. He led in the efforts to develop many innovative programs for patients of all ages including those with addictive disease. He was a charter member of the American College of Physician Executives and continued working in a medical leadership capacity for the remainder of his career. He retired from his last position at the age of 90 after 19 years as Medical Director for Alliant Health Services performing case review and consultative services for the Medicaid Program in Georgia. Dr. Chelton has written and published numerous scientific papers on subjects including electrocardiography and mental health, with his most recent article, “Addiction, Affects and Self Object Theory” for the journal Psychotherapy. All of Guy’s many career accomplishments did not prevent him from taking the time to be a devoted husband and father. He is survived by Barbara Schell Chelton, his wife of 46 years; three children: Dr. Louis Chelton III (Susan), Susanna Sheehy (Michael), and Kitty Chelton (Dan Wirtz); and three stepchildren that he embraced as his own: Jennifer Fishback (Glenn), John Schell, and Margaret Schell. He is also the proud grandfather (Pappy) to 9 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Guy was a wonderful example of a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and proper diet. He was physically active in sports from an early age and continued lifting weights and using an exercise bike at 100. He loved sailing and spent many hours on his sailboat with family and friends. His wife and children love him dearly and his many relatives. friends and colleagues mention his kindness and mentoring and his delightful sense of humor that often defused difficult situations. He is known as an empathic listener and a man of integrity who was always willing to listen and help. He will be missed. His legacy is within all of us who had the advantage of knowing him and being lifted up by him to be the best that we can be. Dr. Chelton will be buried with military honors at Tallahassee National Cemetery, 5015 Apalachee Pkwy, Tallahassee Florida, at noon on July 10, 2026. Relatives and friends are welcome to attend. A memorial service will be held later in Atlanta, and details will be posted as plans are finalized. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in the name of Dr. L Guy Chelton, Jr. to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Ashli McCall, of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) has the sincere honor of assisting the family with their arrangements.

Tributes

Dr. L. Guy Chelton Jr.

May 14, 1925 - June 17, 2026