Dr. Otis Sumter Warr III died peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, November 16th 2025 following a long, courageous fight with Parkinson’s disease. A memorial service will be held in 2026 (date to be announced). Otis embodied a lifelong desire to learn, teach, and explore with intention. This curiosity illuminated the countless, but equally important roles he filled in his lifetime.
Born and raised in Memphis, Dr. Warr graduated from Central High School in 1956 where he played clarinet in the band. While an undergraduate at Davidson College, he swam competitively and earned his pilot’s license. Professionally, Dr. Warr’s career was rooted in clinical leadership and a lifelong devotion to cardiovascular medicine. Dr. Warr earned his M.D. from University of Tennessee Health and Science Center (Memphis) in 1963 where he met his bride of 62 years, Marilane. Dr. Warr completed an internship at the University of Pennsylvania and his residency at the Memphis Veterans Administration. Dr. Warr served for two years as a Major in the U.S. Army Medical Corps before returning to Memphis to complete his cardiology training.
Dr. Warr went on to build a medical career spanning more than half a century, becoming a fixture in the EKG and Treadmill Lab at Baptist Central Hospital and later at Baptist East, while mentoring medical students and residents throughout his decades of service. He continues to teach, even after his death, having donated his body to the Genesis Medical Education & Research Institute to help train the next generation of healthcare professionals. He honored a Warr tradition of medical, scouting, and military service, a path his family continues today.
During his “spare time,” Dr. Warr was a true Renaissance man. An Eagle Scout himself, he spent much of his adult life serving the scouting community in varying capacities, representing the organization at National and World Jamborees and on trips to Philmont. He was a longtime supporter of the Memphis Symphony and Opera Memphis, enjoyed sailboat racing, eclipse chasing (seven total solar eclipse sightings in his lifetime), traveling, swimming, running, volunteering, cycling, triathlons, photography, Rock Steady boxing, and collecting everything from model trains to beer cans. Otis imparted his historical wisdom to anyone who crossed his path-especially to his children and grandchildren-each of whom became well-seasoned students of his detailed, thoroughly-researched explanations.
Dr. Warr was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Otis Warr Jr. and Vivian Barnett Warr, and by two sisters, Mary Cathleen Warr and Virginia Ladd Rubin. He is survived by his wife, Marilane Sulcer Warr of Memphis; his five children: Dr. Otis Warr IV (Shelley) of Mountain Home, AR; Dr. Alston Graham Warr (Megan) of Memphis; Mary Lenore Warr of Memphis; Dr. James Andrew Warr (Erin) of Norfork, AR; and Susan Marilane Warr of Memphis; his two brothers, Dr. Robert Warr of El Paso, TX and Edward Warr (Patricia) of Nashville; and his sister, Margaret Warr Stewart (Glen) of Collierville. He also leaves behind four grandchildren-Abbie, Alex, Meredith, and Nathan Warr-and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who loved him dearly.
His family will carry his memory always, especially in the quiet moments when curiosity nudges us to be inquisitive and appreciate the complexity of the world around us. Otis leaves behind a legacy of compassion, intellect, humor, and an impressive collection of hobbies. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to an organization of your choice, or that you learn something new today and share it with someone you love.