Dr. James Allen Ewing

Dr. James Allen Ewing, affectionately known as "Big Doc" or “Poppa Doc”, the son of the late John Henry Ewing, Jr. and Vivian Muster Ewing, was born on January 22, 1942, in Green County, Kentucky. He passed away peacefully on Friday, August 15, 2025, at 6:38 AM in Campbellsville, Kentucky, at the age of 83.

He was united in marriage to Betty Bower Ries on May 1, 1965, and she preceded him in death on March 24, 2024. Dr. Ewing was devoted to Betty for 58 years, cherishing their life together and the family they built.

Dr. Ewing professed faith in Christ and was a devoted member of Bethel First Presbyterian Church, where he faithfully served as an elder. He was also a proud veteran of the United States Navy. Dr. Ewing graduated from Greensburg High School in 1960, where he excelled in athletics, receiving All-State honors in basketball and track. He played varsity basketball on a scholarship at Kentucky Wesleyan College and later attended the University of Louisville School of Medicine. He completed his internship at Tampa General Hospital and afterward entered the United States Navy, where he was stationed in Pensacola, Florida, and Beeville, Texas as a flight surgeon. After an honorable discharge, he and Betty chose Campbellsville, KY to establish a general medical practice. After 2 ½ years, he moved to Tampa, FL to specialize in ear, nose and throat at the University of South Florida. He returned to Campbellsville in 1978 and continued to grow his practice until his retirement in 2017. Dr. Ewing served as an ENT surgeon at Taylor Regional Hospital, providing decades of dedicated care to his patients. He was a respected member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, the American College of Surgeons, the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy. Deeply involved in his community, he served as past president of the Campbellsville Rotary Club, the Campbellsville-Taylor County Chamber of Commerce, the Taylor County Medical Staff, and the Kentucky ENT Society. Dr. Ewing loved living life to the fullest and enjoyed spending time with family and friends boating at Green River Lake. He treasured vacationing in Marco Island, FL, cheering on the University of Kentucky Wildcats in both football and basketball, enjoying photography, hunting duck and dove, and driving his tractor on his farm. He is survived by his children: Dr. Jimmy Ewing and his wife Pam of Campbellsville, Jennifer Meyers and her husband Chuck of Erlanger, and Jill Lee and her husband Keith of Frankfort. He was a beloved grandfather to Shelby Ewing Gatlin and her husband Bryan, Ries Ewing and his wife Kelsey, Jennifer Mason Lee, Walker Lee, Carson Meyers, and Cooper Meyers, and a proud great-grandfather to Grayson Gatlin, Kennedy Gatlin, and Brooks Ewing. Dr. Ewing is also survived by two brothers, Jack Ewing and his wife Connie of Leitchfield, and Joe Ewing and his wife Cecilia of Nashville. He is further survived by his bonus daughter and devoted caregiver, Amanda McNeill of Campbellsville, along with several nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends who loved him dearly. His faithful dog, Coalby, will also mourn his passing. 

Visitation: Monday, August 18, 2025, 5:00 - 8:00 PM at Parrott & Ramsey Funeral Home, Campbellsville, KY. 

Funeral Service: Tuesday, August 19, 2025, 11:00 AM at Bethel First Presbyterian Church, 502 East Main St., Campbellsville, KY 

Additional visitation will be held from 10:00 - 11:00 AM prior to the service, at the Church.

Officiated by Rev. Jim Murphy Burial: Bethel Cemetery, with full military honors by the Marion County Veterans Honor Guard 

Pallbearers: Steve Olt, Dr. Eugene Shively, Joe Ewing, Landon Brown, Gavin Brown, and Les Richardson 

Honorary Pallbearers: Members of the Campbellsville Rotary Club and Men of the Church Fellowship Group 

Expressions of Sympathy: Donations may be made to Bethel First Presbyterian Church or Hosparus of Green River.