George M. Chastain, III, MD

George M. Chastain, III, MD died Sunday, July 19, 2026 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. His memorial service will at 11 AM on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. The Rev. Stephen Norris and the Rev. Christopher A. Pappas will officiate. There will be a reception to follow the memorial service at St. Paul’s Parrish Hall. Dr. Chastain was born in New Brunswick, NJ and graduated from Sayerville High School, Sayerville, NJ in 1955. He received his BA from Emory University in 1959 and his Doctorate of Medicine from the Emory University School of Medicine in 1963. Dr. Chastain served as a flight surgeon with the US Air Force Air Rescue Service from 1963 to 1967 at Eglin Air Force base, Ft. Walton Beach, FL and at Ton San Nhut Air Force Base, Republic of Viet Nam. Captain Chastain was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service. Following his discharge from the Air Force, Dr. Chastain began his Anesthesiology Residency at Emory University in 1970. He began private practice in Albany in 1972. In 1985, Dr. Chastain became an Associate Professor of Anesthesiology at Emory University School of Medicine. Dr. Chastain became the Chief Medical Officer of Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in 1987. He was the first physician to hold this office in the State of Georgia. During his medical career, Dr. Chastain was recognized for many achievements. He was appointed by Governor Joe Frank Harris to the Georgia Composite State Board of Medical Examiners in 1980 and was elected president in 1982 and served until 1992. He helped develop the Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital Chaplaincy Program. He co-chaired the Best Practice Committee and Peer Review Committee of the Partnership for Health and Accountability with the Georgia Hospital Association. Dr. Chastain was a member of the American Medical Association, the Medical Association of Georgia, the Dougherty County Medical Society, past president, American Association of Anesthesiologists, Georgia Society of Anesthesiologists, past president, Physician Executives of Georgia, Inc., past president. He was an alumnus of Leadership Georgia and served in the first Board of Directors of Leadership Albany and helped plan healthcare presentations to new members. Dr. Chastain is a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and was a former member of Porterfield Methodist Church. He was a past board member of the Albany Symphony Board and the Boy Scouts of America. He was also a past member of the Albany Chamber of Commerce and the American Cancer Society where as a cancer survivor he lectured on “Seasons of Survival, the Road Following Cancer.” Dr. Chastain was preceded in death by his first wife, Sarah Anne Chastain. Dr. Chastain is survived by his wife: Fran Pappas Chastain; her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren; his children: Sarah Beth Morgan, Scott Chastain, and George Chastain, IV; three grandchildren. Those desiring may send memorials to the Willson Hospice House, 312 Foundation Lane, Albany, GA 31707, or to Wounded Warrior Project, support.woundedwarriorproject.org.

George M. Chastain, III, MD

August 8, 1937 - July 19, 2026