Eugene Capps, M.D.

EUGENE CLYDE (GENE) CAPPS, MD, 83, passed away at his home, surrounded by family, on April 15, 2018. He was preceded in death by mother Eugenia Rollins Capps and father Dr. Hiram Clyde Capps.

Gene was born in Memphis, spent his early years in Waverly, Tennessee where his father was the small town doctor. He comes from a long line of physicians and determined early on to follow this same path. He attended high school at Castle Heights Military Academy in Nashville, Vanderbilt University, and University of Tennessee for medical school, finishing each level of study in 3 years. During medical school, at age 21, Gene and Barbara Ann Hart of Newbern, TN wed after just 5 months of courtship, which led to 61 years of marriage. Their early years included internships in Tulsa and residency in Columbia, MO. With 2 young children, Gene and Barbara moved to Stuttgart, Germany where Gene served two years as a Captain in the U.S. Army working at the 5th General Hospital of Stuttgart.

At age 28, the family moved to KC and Dr. Capps began practicing anesthesia at Baptist Memorial Hospital, a career that would span 40 years. He was the youngest physician to hold the office of President of Baptist Hospital.  During his retirement years, Dr. Capps worked at the SurgiCenter of Johnson County.

He had a passion for learning and was known for sharing unusual facts (and in later years some questionable “facts”) with family and friends. He loved playing cards and played a mean game of gin rummy. He also enjoyed traveling abroad, snow skiing, golf and was an ardent fan of the Chiefs.

He leaves behind his wife, Barbara, brother, Walter R. Capps of Nashville, daughter Susan Goodman (John), son Steven Capps, PhD and 4 grandchildren, Blake Goodman (Bailey), Anne Goodman, Addison Capps, Conner Capps, and 1 great grandson, Wilson Goodman.

A visitation will be held from 1-2 PM, service 2 PM, on Saturday, April 28, at Johnson County Funeral Chapel, 11200 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS 66210. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, http://www.stjude.org/donate.