James Harvey Eddy III, MD, known affectionately as Jim, passed away on Nov. 3, 2024, at 81 years of age. Born on Dec. 21, 1943, in Shreveport, La., he spent the second half of his life in Lake Charles, La., surrounded by the love of his family.

He attended elementary and middle school in Shreveport. At 14 years of age, he left to attend Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire, which was an all-boys boarding school. While there, he enjoyed being the drummer in a jazz quartet, the Cuba Libre. He graduated from Exeter at 16 years of age, and with the spirit of his beloved Hemingway, his adventures began. 

After living abroad in Mexico and Spain for about eight years, he attended LSU-HSC for his medical education and training. He then moved to Lake Charles, joining Anesthesia Associates, where he practiced for the next 20 years.  At the tender age of 60, he again attended LSU-HSC, for a fellowship in interventional pain, and upon returning to Lake Charles, opened his clinic and Ambulatory Surgery Center where he practiced until his retirement in 2013. He was a member of the Calcasieu Parish Medical Society, the Louisiana State Medical Society, the Louisiana Society of Anesthesiology, the American Society of Anesthesiology, the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, and the International Spinal Injection Society.

Jim was a remarkable individual whose talents spanned multiple disciplines. He was not only an accomplished anesthesiologist and interventional pain management physician, but he also achieved his degree in Classical Guitar from the Conservatory of Madrid in just three years, a feat that typically took eight. In addition, he was invited and received scholarships to attend two master classes by Andre Segovia in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. 

Upon his return to the States, he performed numerous classical guitar concerts, including at Carnegie Hall in New York City. His passion for music extended to flamenco guitar, which he mastered during his time in Spain and Mexico, becoming a recognized flamenco guitarist, by the name Jaime Santos.  Hemingway’s continued influence inspired Jim to become a Novillero bullfighter. As Jaime Santos, he also wrote a guidebook about Flamenco and life in Spain.  Jim’s adventurous spirit led him to travel through Russia in the 1960s with a flamenco dance troupe, adding to the rich tapestry of his life experiences.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Jim was a devoted family man. He was married to Joan Dubois Eddy for 32 wonderful years. He cherished his children, Chris Eddy (Joyce), Leigh Eddy (Andrew) O’Neill, Cash McCrae Eddy, Hunter Parks (Brandy) Benton, Lacy Hale, and Kati (Kevin) Lambert. He was also a proud grandfather to Isabelle Waldmeier, James Jackson Eddy, Brinley Benton, William Benton, Anderson Waldmeier, and Elizabeth Lambert. His sister, CeCe Cord, and stepmother, Marletta Eddy, also survive him and numerous extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elisabeth Rogers Eddy and James Harvey Eddy II, and his brothers, Lewis Gibb Carlisle and John Christopher Eddy.

Jim had a zest for life that was evident in his many hobbies. As a youth, his room was filled with the model airplanes he built. Later in life, he enjoyed building intricate model ships in his spare time. He started playing piano when he was five years old. Then, in his early teens, he took up playing drums. As an adult, he became an amateur photographer, as evidenced by the boxfuls of family and vacation pictures. He began riding horses at the age of three in the beautiful mountains of New Mexico. His love of horses brought him to raise Arabian horses at his farm in Lake Charles. He also loved fencing, running and playing tennis in his spare time. An avid reader, he enjoyed exploring the worlds of History, culture, Nautical fiction, 6Toros6, a monthly bullfighting periodical and Spanish literature, especially Garcia Lorca. His musical passions included Flamenco, Jazz, and Classical. He discovered a passion for cooking after being inspired by Julia Child’s books. His culinary tastes gravitated toward grilled lamb chops, steak with red wine reduction sauce, steamed artichokes with hollandaise, his usual breakfast of cinnamon toast, any variety of ice cream or chocolate.

One of his most enjoyable social activities was being a member of the gentleman’s writers club, the Montaigne Society. There he was able to tell many stories of his amazing life experiences through his presentations. His first, “Soccer Without a Ball”, was about his love of bullfighting. The following presentation, “The Dark Side” was an explanation of Spain’s dictatorship under Francisco Franco.

A good sport with a playful nature, Jim enjoyed sharing humor and stories with friends, leaving a lasting impression on all who knew him. His colleagues respected him for his expertise, sense of humor, and gentle demeanor, while patients appreciated his kindness and excellent care.

Jim’s favorite place was Spain, where he felt a profound connection to the culture and music he loved. He also found his favorite dog, Raki, a terrier mix who followed him home from the Madrid bullring one day, then never left.  He often found joy in watching Westerns and spy films, and he lived by the motto, “Just do it!” His legacy of passion, dedication, and love for his family will remain in the hearts of those he touched throughout his incredible journey.

Family and friends are invited to gather for his Celebration of Life, beginning with Visitation at Hixson’s Funeral Home, 3001 Ryan Street, on Thursday, Nov. 7 from 5 p.m. to 8 pm.  Visitation will resume on Nov. 8 from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.  We will then proceed to The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 715 Kirkman Street for The Burial of the Dead with Holy Communion, officiated by the Rev. Mitzi George and the Rev. Countess West.  Burial will follow at Consolata Cemetery, 2300 Country Club Road.