Dear editor,
I met Dr. Durell Peaden in 1976 at Okaloosa Memorial Hospital. He had a critically ill patient that he treated all night, never leaving their side.
Dr. Peaden displayed love, compassion and kindness toward the patient and the family, and gained my respect that night. I observed this level of care throughout his medical career.
This concern for others transferred to his political career also. It did not matter who you were, you were important to him.
He did not want to leave his patients, and traveled between Tallahassee and Crestview for several months to ensure his patients were fine.
He never forgot his hometown of Crestview and aided in its progression. He was instrumental in bringing the Shoal Creek Nursing Home and the North Okaloosa Medical Center to Crestview.
He also worked to bring the FAMU pharmaceutical school to Crestview, and brought a dental school and a physician assistant school to DeFuniak Springs.
Dr. Peaden will never be forgotten by those whom he loved and those who loved him. His good works toward humanity will be remembered.
I am proud and honored to have worked with him and am more proud to be considered part of their family.
One of God's faithful workers, there is nothing that happens on earth that God can't take care of in heaven.
Love to Nancy, Durell III (Trey), Tyler and Taylen.
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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER: Remembering Dr. Durell Peaden