Dr. Vernonc. Luthas M.D.

Vernon C. Luthas, MD, age 85 of Miamisburg, OH and formerly of Kettering, OH passed away surrounded by loving family at his hospital bed on December 9, 2013. Although he lost a long battle with a myriad of physical diseases, his faith in Jesus and an eternal life where there will be no more suffering or death gave him and leaves us with the hope that we will once again be united for eternity. Dr. Luthas was born on February 28, 1928 in Panama City, Panama. He was sent by his parents, along with his brother, at an early age to America to receive a Christian education and experience the American Dream. His academic studies took him from Texas to California where he earned a B.S. degree from Pacific Union College in Angwin, California. After a logging accident took the life of a fellow classmate and Vernon took his place for medical school admission, he always felt that he was given a gift of medical education from God. He went on to earn his Doctor of Medicine degree from Loma Linda University in 1953. He served in the United States Navy in both South Carolina and California. After leaving the military, he did a residency in anesthesia at Ohio State University. After completing his residency, he was called to a life of Christian service to an as yet to be built hospital that was funded by the Kettering Family and given over to the Seventh-day Adventist church. Thus, he became one of the first doctors at Kettering Memorial Hospital and founded the anesthesia group that still practices at Kettering Health Network. Throughout his life, Dr. Luthas was a spiritual giant, trusted physician, and humble servant leader. Interspersed throughout his medical career were many medical mission trips to distant locations including Puerto Rico and Malaysia. He and five other physicians were the inspiration and support for the beginnings of Spring Valley Academy, a Seventh-day Adventist K-12 school in Centerville. He is a former board member of Kettering Medical Center. He was a humble man whose greatest joy was in leading others to appreciate and develop a relationship with their God. He received the Living Waters award two times from Kettering Health Network, which was given for humanitarian service to others.
He is survived by his wife, Betty, who has been afflicted with Alzheimer's disease and for whom he was her principle caretaker for 12 out of the last thirteen years. He is also survived by a son, Richard and a grandson, Kieran; and a daughter, Diane Doucette and her husband, David Doucette along with their three children, Rebecca, Kristen, and Allison. A sister, Irma Puckett, and her husband, Dale, also survive him. He is preceded in death by his brother, Carlton, who passed away in Centerville on December 4, 2013. A private service for the family was planned for Friday, December 13th. A public Memorial Service honoring his life of service and ministry is planned for January 18th at 4 PM at the Centerville Seventh-day Adventist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations may be made to Spring Valley Academy; 1461 E. Spring Valley Pike; Centerville, Ohio 45458.