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Just a couple days before the new year, Dr. Perry Caldwell DeBardeleben, Jr. of Selma passed away Sat. Dec.28 at the age of 93 years old.

He was a beloved physician of the Selma community who was born on April 9, 1930 to Louise Rowell DeBardeleben and Perry Caldwell DeBardeleben.

In 1948, DeBardeleben, Jr. attended Selma Public schools and then graduated from Albert G. Parish High School which led to him pursing his Bachelor and Science degree in Physics and Mathematics from The University of Alabama in 1952. During his college days, DeBardeleben, Jr. was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa, Omicron Delta Kappa, and Jasons honorary societies.

He also was a participant in ROTC, rising to the rank of cadet colonel and he was also the recipient of the distinguished Cadet medal within his senior year and near his time of graduation, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

He then went on to receive his M.D. degree from Tulane University in 1956, where he was a member of the Phi Chi Medical fraternity, serving as the presiding senior from 1955 to 1956. Also during that time, he completed a one-year rotating internship and first year of Internal Medicine residency at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, according to his obituary from Lawrence-Brown Service Funeral Home.

In 1958, DeBardeleben, Jr. pursued his efforts through his military background that led him to becoming an instructor in Internal medicine at the School of Aviation Medicine.
After receiving an honorable discharge from active duty in 1960, he and his family moved to Dallas, TX, to complete his final two years of Internal Medicine residency at Parkland Hospital which led to his return to Selma in 1962 where he began a 45-year practice of internal medicine.

During his time as a physician at Selma Internal Medicine Associates, his worked well with Dr. William Hinson, Dr. Archie Davis, Michael Murray and Michael Soppet and his last three years were spent at the Selma Doctors’ Clinic, where he worked closely with Dr. Park Chittom, Sr. along many others who thought very highly of him, including his patients.

Dr. Chittom, Sr. said those who knew of DeBardeleben, Jr., knew of him as quite the gentleman who was well-trained and very well-loved.

Dr. Chittom, Sr. said being around DeBardeleben, Jr. at work at The Selma Doctors’ Clinic for many years, his experience working with him was excellent.

“I have great respect for him,” Dr. Chittom, Sr. said. He cared for his patients and was highly respected in the community.”
“Throughout his years of practice, Dr. DeBardeleben served his patients with uncommon devotion, intelligence, and kindness.,” according to his obituary from Lawrence-Brown Service Funeral Home. “He provided a level of care and constancy which endeared him to generations of families. Following retirement at age 78, he continued to serve patients for 13 years as a volunteer at Vaughan Regional Medical Center in the medical records department, reviewing patients’ charts for accuracy in documentation. No matter how Dr. DeBardeleben served this community, his colleagues held him in the highest personal and professional regard.”

Dr. DeBardeleben, Jr. was survived by his wife Patty, his four children, Cameron (Andy) Robins, Lisa (Jim) Medley, Perry C. (Cathy) DeBardeleben, III and Perry Childs; twelve grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, stepson, John (Alison) Murfee, stepdaughter, Missy (Will) Ketchum and four step-grandchildren.

Also, He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Lisa, his sister, Jewell Butler and his brothers-in-law, Dr. Charles Butler, Dr. Louis McMilon and Peter McMilon.

Dr. DeBardeleben, Jr.’s funeral was held at 1 p.m. on Dec. 30th at the Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, according to his obituary from the Lawrence-Brown Service Funeral Home.