James Raymond Angel, M.D., 69, of Lebanon, KY passed away peacefully on September 17, 2020. He was born in Lebanon, KY and was the younger child of the late John & Jane Angel.  

He was also preceded in death by 1 sister, Elizabeth Smith of Harrodsburg, KY; father & mother-in-law Thomas & Edith Sapp; brothers-in-law: Terry Sapp & Thomas Sapp, Jr.; and 1 nephew, Keith Sapp.

James was educated in the farms and fields of Marion County in his youth, but also graduated valedictorian of Lebanon High School class of 1968.  He attended the University of Kentucky where he obtained the 99th percentile score on the national annual chemistry placement exam, but chose to leave college early in 1971 to pursue his dream of becoming a doctor.  He graduated at the top of his class from the Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans in 1975 and completed his Urology residency training through Tulane University at Charity Hospital in New Orleans in 1980.  His list of academic accomplishments included being named to the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society, winning the Tulane Medical School Owl Club Teaching Award, and he was the National Kidney Foundation and American Urologic Association Scholar in 1977.

James left New Orleans and returned home to central Kentucky and founded his private practice in Campbellsville, Kentucky in 1980.  He served the communities of central Kentucky tirelessly as a practicing physician and Urologic surgeon for 38 years before retiring in 2018.  He performed hundreds of thousands of surgeries, and was a passionate member of the medical staff of Taylor County Hospital (now Taylor Regional Hospital) as well as the Chief of Surgery for decades.  He was instrumental in the creation of The Cancer Center at Taylor Regional Hospital and founder of Taylor Regional Urology which continues his legacy of medical service in central Kentucky.

An intrepid adventurer and traveler, James explored the world but always was drawn back to Kentucky.  A lifelong farmer, he was also an avid outdoorsman and conservationist and served as an appointed Commissioner of the Department of Fish and Wildlife for Kentucky’s Fourth District for 13 years. He volunteered much of his free time to the protection of Kentucky’s fish and wildlife, and cultivation of the next generation of adventurers through his time as a Commissioner and also as an Assistant Scoutmaster with local Boy Scout Troop 616.  His varied interests and fields of practical expertise included agriculture, hunting, fishing, chemistry and astronomy and he was a lifelong booster of University of Kentucky sports.

SURVIVORS:

Wife: Sherri Angel 

3 children, Ben Angel, M.D. (Carolyn), John Angel (Sarah), and Meredith Angel, M.D. (Ryan)

3 grandchildren: Athena Angel, Vesper Angel, and Gwendolyn Angel

3 siblings-in-law: Michael Sapp (Shirley), Debbie Sapp, and Vance Smith

Beloved nieces and nephews: Jordan Smith, Christy Sapp, M.D., Jason Sapp, Dawn Thompson, Dana Sapp, Jeffrey Sapp, and Kevin Sapp

Visitation Service: Sunday, September 20, 2020 at 5:00pmET at Parrott and Ramsey Funeral Home.  

Funeral Service: Monday, September 21, 2020 at 2:00pmET at Parrott and Ramsey Funeral Home with a private family burial to follow.

In keeping with James’s wishes, memorial contributions may be made to the Make Today Count support group at The Cancer Center at Taylor Regional Hospital.